Disney just made a quiet change to a popular offering for couples who decide to get married through Disney Fairy Tale Weddings. They are now enforcing a Disney rule that was previously not enforced for many couples. News of this change has now started spreading online in popular Disney bride Facebook groups.
Many brides are voicing frustration with the new policy, with some saying they may have chosen a different wedding vendor if they had known the policy would later change. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including the popular Disneyland rope drop strategy which is a big mistake and the reveal of the new EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival menus.
READ MORE – Rides Disney Almost Built But Didn’t (And Why They Never Happened)
Disney Changes Timeline for Wedding Theme Park Photos
One of Disney’s most expensive and iconic photography experiences is the Disney Fine Art Photography Park Portrait Sessions. Guests can qualify for these theme park portrait sessions only if they have had a wedding with Disney Fairy Tale Weddings, but they should expect to pay a premium. If you want those iconic wedding photos in front of Cinderella Castle, you can expect to pay nearly $5,000 for the experience.
While many of Disney’s wedding photography guidelines are fairly standard, we recently reported on the surprisingly strange rule that couples cannot wear wedding attire in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. That restriction is particularly surprising given that the area is featured as part of one of the most expensive wedding photography offerings at the theme parks. Now, Disney has reportedly begun enforcing another rule for Disney Fine Art Photography wedding photos that, until recently, had never been enforced.
Disney World Ride Closure ALERTS, Major Park Changes, Secrets Revealed
Get alerts on closures, park changes, exclusive discounts, and free printables. Trusted by 100,000+ Disney fans & planners.
Couples are now being told they only have one year from their wedding date to take advantage of these profesional theme park photos, according to reports circulating in online Disney wedding communities and on social media. As a result, couples whose weddings took place more than a year ago are reportedly no longer eligible to book the photography session. This is Disney enforcing a previous existing rule.
For couples who add these photos in their Banquet Event Order (BEO), the detailed document outlining their contracted wedding arrangements, the rule has always been that they had only one year to get these photos done. However, before this rule change, couples not booking with a BEO were being welcomed back for these photos anytime after their Disney Fairy Tale Wedding, regardless of how much time has passed.
The rule that photos must be taken within a year of the wedding date is also posted on the Disney Fine Art Photography website.
Disney has shared with us that they are working with couples of a case-by-case basis who are being directly impacted by this rule change.
READ MORE – It’s Never Good to Hear These Disney Cast Member Codes They Use to Communicate Right in Front of You
Couples were often told, “Once a Disney bride, always a Disney bride,” when learning about the perk, reinforcing the idea that they could return to Disney for professional wedding photos long after their wedding day. Several commenters said returning to the parks for professional wedding photos on milestone anniversaries, including their first year or even fifth year anniversaries, had become a tradition for many Disney wedding couples.
The reported policy change of enforcing this rule means couples may no longer have that same opportunity after their first anniversary.
We wanted to share the rule enforcement to ensure that anyone who was considering returning for photos could reach out now to get them booked rather than waiting for a future date when there may be no wiggle room.
Don’t Miss the Latest Disney News
Don’t miss the latest Disneyland and Disney World news from Mickey Visit. Join the FREE Mickey Visit newsletter that over 100k readers receive every single week. Mickey Visit is here to help you save money and experience more during your Disney and Universal vacation. See the Mickey Visit guide to Disneyland and the Mickey Visit guide to Disney World for tips.
