Couple Ties the Knot at Disney Without Permission: Here’s What Happened

If you’ve stayed at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, you’ve probably seen a lot of interesting moments—pool games with Cast Members shouting trivia over the loudspeakers, families carting refillable mugs to the food court at 7 a.m., or kids running full speed toward the Hippy Dippy Pool in their swimsuits.

But an actual wedding ceremony? That’s new.

It happened right in the middle of the afternoon, in the courtyard outside Pop Century’s largest pool, and here’s the kicker—this was not part of Disney’s official wedding offerings.

What Guests Saw

The scene was first captured by TikTok user @hannahg28362, who happened to be getting her hair braided at the pool. She spotted a small group: the couple, dressed in casual wedding attire, an officiant, and a person recording the whole thing on a cell phone.

@hannahg28362

congrats to the happy couple 🤍 y’all go see Jenny at Pop #disneyworld

♬ original sound – hannah

No decorated chairs. No floral arch. No reception area. Just vows exchanged in one of Disney’s busiest pool courtyards, within steps of splashing kids and the smell of chicken strips from Everything POP Dining.

And then, as quickly as it started, it was over. The group dispersed, leaving guests around the pool looking just a little stunned.

Why Disney Wouldn’t Approve

Disney’s official property rules spell this out pretty clearly: “unauthorized events, speeches, or demonstrations” are not allowed anywhere at Walt Disney World. That covers everything from surprise political rallies to impromptu dance performances—and yes, unapproved weddings.

Why? Because Disney manages its spaces like clockwork. Even at a hotel, guest areas are carefully monitored for crowd control, noise, and accessibility. A sudden wedding could block pathways, disrupt activities, or even interfere with Cast Member duties.

Pop Century’s Hippy Dippy Pool is especially unlikely to get approval—it’s the heart of the resort, surrounded by guest rooms and constant activity.

What Disney Does Offer for Weddings

For couples who want to get married on property, Disney has an entire division for that: Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings.

They offer nearly 50 approved venues in Florida, including:

• Disney’s Wedding Pavilion at the Grand Floridian, which frames Cinderella Castle in the background.

• Italy Isola at EPCOT, a prime spot for sunset photos with World Showcase Lagoon.

• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, where couples can marry with the Atlantic Dance Hall or gazebo as their backdrop.

• Coronado Springs Resort, known for its dramatic architecture and courtyard spaces.

Packages start around $15,000 and can top $100,000 for larger events. The price usually covers the venue, catering, floral arrangements, transportation, entertainment, photography, and a dedicated wedding planning team.

The trade-off? Everything is official, Disney-approved, and guaranteed to be uninterrupted.

Why Some Couples Wing It

We can only guess why this couple skipped the official Fairy Tale Weddings route, but there are some obvious reasons:

• Cost: Even the most basic Disney wedding package can be a significant investment.

• Timing: Popular venues can book out more than a year in advance.

• Simplicity: Not everyone wants a giant reception or full-service planning team—they just want the Disney location.

Of course, there’s a risk factor. Disney Security could end the event early, and guests attempting unauthorized weddings could be asked to leave the property altogether.

The Quirky Choice of Pop Century

Pop Century Resort is all about nostalgia for the 1950s through 1990s, with larger-than-life icons like giant foosball players, Big Wheels, and rotary phones decorating the grounds.

The Hippy Dippy Pool—where the wedding took place—is the main hub for the 1960s section. Bright flowers spray water over swimmers, music plays all day, and it’s usually buzzing with kids and activity. Not exactly the quiet, romantic atmosphere of the Grand Floridian’s Wedding Pavilion.

But maybe that’s what made it perfect for this couple: loud, colorful, and a little unconventional.

The Bigger Disney Wedding Scene

Disney weddings have become their own niche industry, complete with TV specials, YouTube channels, and Pinterest boards full of castle-themed cakes. Couples often spend months (or years) planning the perfect ceremony, complete with choreographed dances, character appearances, and fireworks shows.

And because Disney works hard to keep every on-property wedding up to brand standards, they keep a very tight grip on where and how ceremonies happen.

That’s why spotting one outside of the official system—especially in such a high-traffic area—feels so unusual.

This little pop-up wedding at Pop Century is likely to be remembered by everyone who saw it, and it’s hard not to admire the couple’s determination to have their Disney moment on their own terms. But it also highlights just how rare it is to see a ceremony without the mouse’s official seal of approval.

Disney might not have sanctioned it, but for those guests lounging by the pool that day, it was a story they’ll probably be telling for years.