Category Archives: Entertainment

Illuminations Dessert Party: Is it worth it?

Posted in Entertainment, The Finer Details by

Thanks to one of our biggest blog contributors here on yourfairytalewedding.com, Living Seas Bride,  who talks discusses her thoughts on having an Illuminations Dessert Party. 

When we planned out Disney Fairy Tale Wedding in 2006, we knew three definite things.

1. We were having our reception at the Living Seas

2 We were having characters are the reception.

3. We MUST have an illuminations dessert party

In fact, above all else, I was willing to cut corners on floral and decor if it meant having that special moment. I had seen countless other brides have those amazing fireworks images and I was certain to have them.

Many couples struggle with the question when a budget is in mind:  Is it worth it?

My answer is always a resounding YES!!  The dessert party was a moment I will never forget and one that our guests still talk about six and a half years later.  They felt so special being led to a private location during park hours.  They felt like the show was all for them….and not the thousands of other guests. 😉

To be able to see the look of awe in the eyes of the youngest to the oldest made the cost worth every penny.

The desserts and view alone are enough to convince anyone who can budget it in, to go for it!

I remember leaving my reception and being so excited to experience one more part of the magic with my guests.

And the view………well it is next to none. I have never had a better view of Illuminations in my life.  The pictures can do the talking.

To read more about  how your Illuminations Dessert Party can really wow your wedding guests, please visit our Disneymooner Forums

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Wedding Planning: Staged Exits

Posted in Entertainment, The Finer Details, Trends We Love, Wedding Planning by

Growing up as little girls, I’m sure there are those moments you dream of.  Your wedding day is certainly one of those days.   How it will be as you take those first steps down the aisle…how it will be when you kiss your prince for the first time…how magical it will feel to walk hand in hand towards your friends and family.

Many couples give lots of thought to how they will exit their ceremony venue.  Thankfully there are many options offered by Disney as well as some home spun ideas for them to choose from.

Some of the classic staged exits we have loved over the years:

1. Bubbles:  Always a classic, brides and grooms come back to this staged exit option all the time.  The pictures are always filled with laughs, some funny moments when the bubbles blow into faces and really set an atmosphere of whimsy to the photographs.

There is always this concerns with brides that the bubbles leave a stain on the dress fabric……to this day we have yet to have a brides say there was a stain on her dress. Not to say it can’t happen but we hope that little fact puts some worried brides at ease.

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Photo Taken by Randy Chapman Photography

2. Rose Petals: Romantic and charming, this is another classic staged exit that couple adore.  Petals often match the couple’s wedding colors or have several tones of the colors. These can be very custom and brides have rose petal cones made with their monogram for guests to hold.

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Photo taken by Paul Triller Photography

3. Ribbons Wands: This is more of a modern trend but we love it.  These are great ways to making a unique exit with a splash of color and nothing getting thrown in your faces. 😉 Disney can make these for you or perhaps you can make these yourself to save in your budget.

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Photo from Root Photography

4. Fireworks at the WP: for a real wow factor we have seen couples plan for a surprise fireworks exit at the wedding pavilion.  This really adds a sense of magic to the exiting of  the new couple.

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Photo taken from Disney Wedding Blogs

5. Sparklers:  We have yet to see sparklers being used in a Disney Wedding ( and perhaps they won’t allow that) but we think this is a really great idea none the less.

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Photo from Pretty Entertaining

6. Balloons! – One of the newest trends we have seen in the world of weddings is a staged balloons release.  Again, we have never seen this done at a Disney wedding or if it’s allowed, but we still think it’s pretty cool.  And how perfect if you are doing an UP! themes wedding?

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Photo from Heart Love Weddings 

We would love to hear what other type of staged exits you have had!! Please come share with us at the Disneymooner private forums now!

Entertainment: Major Domo

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Disney World  and Disneyland offer a world of entertainment options for both your wedding ceremony or reception.  While entertainment is not necessary for your event, many couples decide to add a special touch to their event.  One of the fun entertainment options for the bride and groom is Major Domo.

Disney Fairytale Weddings website describes Major Domo as:

A Renaissance-costumed Major Domo will act as your ring bearer and carry your rings down the aisle in a glass slipper.

Please consult your wedding planner for current pricing. The last pricing we had started at $675 for a WDW wedding appearance. Major Domo is classified as a themed entertainer and is offered at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland events.

Major Domo can be used for a number of duties at your wedding.  He can serve as ring bearer during your ceremony and carry the rings in on a pillow and glass slipper.  Major Domo can announce you as Mr and Mrs for the first time at both your ceremony and reception.  Some couples use him as master of ceremonies at their receptions and have Major Domo announce the bridal party with paper scroll and all. He can add a formal flair to your event.

However, Major Domo is not all formal elegance, and may couples have him serve as a jokester at their event.  Couples have played a prank on their guests and made them think the rings were lost.  We have had brides at both parks use Major Domo at their event.

I used Major Domo at my 2006 wedding and it’s an addition that was well worth the money.  Our guests still talk about this moment to this day and it really added a funny spin on our wedding ceremony.  My husband and I, love playing jokes on people…all in good fun.  When we were planning and heard we could add a special prank on our family and friends, we had to.  Our lips were sealed for months on this and no one knew the secret.  During the ceremony, the officiant turned to our best man and asked for the rings……he looked concerned….I don’t have the rings!.  The look on our family and friends faces was absolutely priceless. we heard gasps, awkward giggles, and even had several offers from married couples to just use their rings. After a moment of panic the trumpets blasted on the Wedding Pavilion and opened the doors.  Major Domo came in in full regala….pillow in hand, glass slipper on top and rings in place.  Our guests smiled, clapped and stood for the moment.  They couldn’t believe what we had done.  Looking back, we just couldn’t be happier.  Major Domo also announced us outside the Wedding Pavilion and into our reception. I loved when he announced our first dance at our reception, as it really set the stage for the event.

– Sarah, 2006 bride

He is great for the “flow” of things…and a special Disney touch.  Things I liked-the surprised look on people’s faces when he came in at the ceremony. That he orchestrated things into the “first dance.”  Things I didn’t like-since Narcoossee’s doesn’t have that “you are now entering the reception” thing, we came into Narcoossee’s and then later were announced. Which was fine. But, I was bummed he didn’t also announce our wedding party. I should have worked that out with Michelle, but I just assumed she would have them all come to the front of the restaurant and be announced.

– Heidi

The following pictures are from the Major Domo from Disneyland and the experience of Disneymooner Debbie.

We didn’t have a ring bearer in our wedding party so we thought it would be fun to add a little bit of whimsy to our ceremony by having the Major Domo bring us our rings. As our guests arrived at the Rose Court Garden he stood at the entrance and greeted them. He was in character the entire time. When the time in the ceremony came for the ring exchange, he burst onto the scene! We had asked for a regal “serious” Major Domo, but apparently the message didn’t get passed along to him because we got the “comical” Major Domo in all his glory. He was sort of weaving down the aisle trying to ensure the glass slipper (with the rings in it) stayed on his pillow and was making all kinds of funny exclamations. My husband and I looked at each other and he muttered “what is he doing?” We both kinda laughed and shrugged it off. After delivering the rings to the best man with a flourish, the Major Domo walked back down the aisle. He fake cried the whole way and said something about “I can’t believe those crazy kids are all grown up and getting married.” Our guests thought the whole thing was great and no-one but the wedding party knew he was supposed to be serious and not funny. It was kind of a nice break in the ceremony and it got everyone laughing. We didn’t want the Major Domo to seem hokey, but if this was on the one major glitch of the day, it was no big deal!

Before we were announced into our reception, the Major Domo talked with our wedding party to learn how to pronounce their last names. He stood inside the doors of the Sequoia Ballroom and in a nice clear “royal” voice announced the members of our wedding party and then us. Our DJ could have done this but we thought it would be a nice touch to carry on our fairy tale theme. (It didn’t cost extra.)

We were pleasantly surprised when we received our wedding video and found that he had recorded a very cute (and funny) message for us. Including the Major Domo in our wedding day was definitely a bit of a splurge but it was fun and added to the ambiance we were trying to achieve.

Stay tuned for more entertainment features to come.  We would love to hear about the special touches you added to your wedding festivities.  Join us on The Disneymooner Forums

Entertainment: Characters – Stitch

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“Adding a Tiny Terror”

I suppose that most people assume all couples who chose a Disney World Wedding have a Disney character at their event.   While many couples chose to add a little Disney magic to their festivities, many more do not.  It’s all a personal choice for the theme of the event.

One thing is true when we were planning we certainly had options.  We knew we wanted Mickey and Minnie at our event.  We added them to the budget and let it be.

A few months into planning we decided to see if it was possible to add a newer character to the mix….Stitch.  Lilo and Stitch the movie was one of our favorites at this point and we thought that  adding him might add just a touch of tiny terror to our event.  We kept the characters a secret from most of our guests.  Our bridal party and parents knew about Mickey and Minnie.  But we really wanted more surprises for them.

While we were dancing Mickey and Minnie came in for their set.  We were having a blast and mostly the adults were taken back more than the children.  They wanted to have their picture taken and dance with the famous mice.

“Just then the cd skipped and came to a screeching halt……we all looked around Our guests looked around and wondered what was going on now?? I almost was taken back and wondering what was going on. Scott says “Uh Oh folks….silence….”

Then music began to play – I did it again…I forgot all about my absolute favorite surprise of all!!!

You look like an angel
Walk like an angel
Talk like an angel
But I got wise
You´re the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise


I of course remembered instantly. Just then Stitch ran into the room and started to cause chaos immediately. I kid you not…when he came in the room the entire group screamed and clapped as if he was a rock star. Stitch rocked that place! It was so loud! He ran towards the cake as if to jump on it and gave me a huge hug. I do not think I could have been more excited or happy at this moment…I just could not stop laughing. I kind of felt bad for Mickey and Minnie…I searched for them once he arrived and all I saw were ears in the back. But thankfully there were people dancing with them. I joined them. I swear the adults enjoyed the characters more than the kids at points.”

There are so many character choices to have at your Disney Fairytale Wedding please be sure to check out our forums for more suggestions and ideas on how to entertain your guests.