Designing Happily Ever After: Careers Behind Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings | S3E15
ON THIS EPISODE OF LIFE AT DISNEY
In this episode of the Life at Disney Podcast, we’re speaking with true Disney love experts — not the magical matchmaking trolls from “Frozen,” but three members of the Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings team.
The Disney Weddings team helps couples plan the engagement, wedding, honeymoon or vow renewal of their dreams at Disney destinations around the world. These employees play key roles in the “happily ever after” process every day in creative events, sales and marketing strategy.
If you’ve ever dreamed of designing a ceremony in Disney’s Wedding Pavilion or planning a honeymoon in Hawai’i at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, tune into this episode to learn how the magic comes to life.
MEET OUR GUESTS
Brian, Senior Creative Events Manager
Brian has always been a creative person, as well as a lifelong Disney fan. Finding a role at Disneyland Resort that merged his two passions was a dream come true. Brian’s Disney journey is unique — not only has he stayed on the same team for 19 years, but he originated his role in creative events, helping to shape responsibilities and expectations.
“I have worked to craft the overall design and concept, partnering with my Entertainment and Décor teams to help bring [Disney Weddings] to life,” Brian said.
Chloe, Marketing Strategy Associate
Chloe began her Disney journey on the Disney College Program, where she worked in Merchandise at EPCOT Future World and Main Street East. After her program, she pursued internships with public relations and advertising agencies to gain experience before returning to Disney at Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company and Merchandise at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Chloe found her next role on the Disney Destination Gatherings team as a part-time Marketing Strategy Associate. She led social media and editorial content curation, content management through photo and video shoots, and more. That role introduced her to the Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons work, and after about 2 years, she transitioned to the Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons Marketing Strategy team.
Nicole, Senior Wedding Sales & Services Manager
Nicole’s Disney journey began just over 15 years ago and has been shaped by growth, innovation, and a passion for creating unforgettable experiences. Before joining Disney she held roles in restaurants, retail, hotels and meetings and events, where she developed a strong commitment to service excellence and attention to detail.
Living in Kapolei on Oʻahu, Nicole was excited when she heard Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa was being built in her backyard. She accepted a Banquet Secretary role in June 2011, and since then has served in roles including Event Service Coordinator, Wedding Sales & Services Manager and now Senior Wedding Sales & Services Manager.
Each role shaped her career path, but it was through working with Disney Weddings that Nicole truly found her passion. She is a dreamer and a romantic at heart, and loves having the privilege of celebrating each couple’s unique love story.
From Idea to “I Do”
Mama Odie might’ve been able to quicky curate Tiana and Naveen’s bayou wedding in “The Princess and the Frog,” but organizing a Disney wedding requires a little more teamwork! The Disney Weddings team strives to ensure each couple has a magical, effortless and special experience from beginning to end.
In Brian’s role with event management, the beginning of a fairy tale experience could look like creating a custom proposal, meeting with a client to discuss their vision for the event, or a site visit discussing new possibilities. While Brian may be a team of one, he collaborates with partners to bring couples’ visions to life.
“From technical producers, to florists, to entertainment managers, we all collaborate together to help create the perfect event,” Brian said.
Nicole is a part of many steps in this creation process as well, since her role includes wedding planning, sales and servicing.
“That means I’m involved in everything from contracting and catering management to design, timelines and day-of execution,” Nicole said.
When the couples are ready to say “I do,” Chloe’s role in marketing ensures they can revisit this special moment and share it with others online. She manages Disney Weddings content an audience member might see on social, web or print.
“Working alongside other social teams to find ways to tell the Disney Weddings story in a unique and unexpected way is a very fun part of the job,” Chloe said. “Showcasing our products on social is a huge responsibility, and it’s important to inform our partners on how we are representing our product and celebrating it accurately.”
Growth in the Role
Each new Disney Wedding experience offers opportunities for learning and growth for the team. Whether that means adapting with changing trends or finding new locations to offer proposals, ceremonies or honeymoons — Disney Weddings create space for thoughtful and intentional work.
Brian said he’s learned to practice empathy and put himself in guests’ shoes, since wedding planning can be overwhelming.
“We should make sure we know how they feel,” Brian said.
In her role, Nicole said something important she’s taken away is to “be a swan.”
“Swans appear graceful, calm, confident and poised, but beneath the surface, their legs are working tirelessly to keep them moving forward,” Nicole said. “That advice has always stayed with me because it reminds me that even in high-pressure moments, it’s important to remain steady, composed and focused.”
Working with Disney Weddings is an incredibly creative experience, with unique customizable products that make every guest feel special. Chloe said it’s important to not limit creativity or brainstorms because you never know who will say “yes” and what could be brought to life.
Disney Weddings Keepsake Moments
After the dance floor empties and the flower petals are swept up, Brian, Nicole and Chloe leave each Disney Wedding experience with special keepsake moments they may have never imagined.
Brian’s favorite part of his role is walking into a reception space for the first time with a couple and seeing their reactions to the transformation for their wedding day. He’s also had the opportunity to design new wedding locations inside Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park for couples to have their once-in-a-lifetime day.
The journey to reaching that special day is important to Nicole, but a memory that stands out to her was a completely custom wedding she worked on for a full year.
“In the end, it was incredibly special,” Nicole said. “I remember the moment the couple made their grand entrance, and I stood in the back and bawled my eyes out as I watched them share their first dance like no one else was in the room.”
For the 35th Anniversary of Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings, Chloe helped plan a special after-hours event in Magic Kingdom Park, with a surprise fashion show of some of the Disney Wedding gowns from the 2026 collection – including the light up gown – and a special live performance of “Happily Ever After” with Jordan Fisher and Angie K.
“As someone who got their start on the Disney College Program, and that fireworks show and song holding so many memories, that was a surreal experience,” Chloe said. “Seeing all the hard work pay off and working alongside so many incredible partners to bring that event to life, was truly the most rewarding feeling.”
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