Hi there Elisabeth, I'm happy to wish you a warm wedding welcome to planDisney!
As someone who
got married at Walt Disney World Resort last year, some of the perks of having a
Disney Wedding include being able to capture these memories in the theme parks and
Disney Resort Hotels! Though
Disney Fine Art Photography presently doesn't offer portrait sessions to those outside of Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings, it's important to note that at the current time, there are also policies in place that unfortunately restrict couples from just visiting in their wedding attire to take photos without getting married here:
- Management across the Disney Resort Hotels are very much aware of couples who attempt to hire a photographer to take photos on site despite not having had any of their wedding celebrations here; Walt Disney World Resort Property Rules currently prohibit "photography, videotaping or recording of any kind, or otherwise engaging in any activity, for unapproved commercial purposes." At the current time, professional photographers who are hired to take bridal photos for wedding couples on Walt Disney World Property are required to sign an agreement in advance and provide insurance documentation in order to be authorized to do so, which also stipulates how and where images may be used including on social media.
- Unfortunately, if your photographer is unable to present a signed agreement or if you do not have approval nor authorization to take photos at any of the Disney Resort Hotels when approached by Cast Members, you may be asked to stop and escorted to leave the premises immediately. (A Duty manager mentioned that this has often happened at picturesque locations like Disney's Port Orleans - Riverside and Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings team are very much in communication and aware of the movement of Brides and Grooms across busy wedding destinations such as Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and its highly coordinated portrait locations). Additionally, photographers and couples showing up to Disney Resort Hotels in wedding attire will be asked by security on arrival the name of their wedding event to look up, especially if they are not staying there as a guest.
- To avoid any disappointment and to ensure that your photographer is not engaging in any prohibited activities on property, it would be a good idea to speak with the management at the Disney Resort Hotel where you are staying to ask directly whether and where you may be permitted to take photographs as a guest - especially since you'll likely be immediately noticeable in bridal attire!
Some alternatives you might want to look into include
booking a Capture Your Moment session at the theme parks instead if you're happy to do so while looking fantastic and dressed up - just as long as you're not wearing wedding attire. For many folks however, even planning a smaller celebration with Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings is worth having a worry-free experience in order to bring in their own photographer to snap those special shots - I think it's worth
contacting them directly to let them know your desire for bridal portraits and see what they might suggest to help make it happen!
Here's to properly capturing your Happily Ever After together!
Prince