Paris, France – French authorities have launched an investigation after a staged wedding ceremony involving a child, believed to be around nine years old, was held at Disneyland Paris early Saturday morning, June 21.
The event took place before the park opened to the public and was part of a private booking. Initially presented as a legitimate wedding celebration, staff grew alarmed upon observing that the “bride” appeared to be a very young child dressed in formal wedding attire.
Concerned Disneyland employees alerted security, who in turn contacted the police. According to the Meaux prosecutor’s office, the ceremony was not a legal marriage but rather a staged event involving professional actors and extras.
“The event turned out to be a staged wedding. The guests were all actors,” the deputy prosecutor told Agence France-Presse (AFP). “It wasn’t an actual marriage but a simulated ceremony filmed with about 100 extras. Disneyland Paris had been privately rented under the pretense of hosting a genuine wedding.”
Four individuals were initially detained. As of Sunday, two remain under formal investigation: a 22-year-old British man alleged to have orchestrated the event and played the role of the groom, and a 24-year-old Latvian woman. They are being questioned on suspicion of fraud and money laundering.
The child, identified as Ukrainian, was found unharmed. Authorities confirmed there were no signs of violence or coercion. The girl’s 41-year-old mother and a 55-year-old Latvian man were also taken into custody but later released.
The motive for staging the ceremony remains unclear. Authorities are working to determine the purpose of the production and the specific role the child was meant to play.
According to Le Parisien, actors hired as guests were transported to the venue by bus. One woman who had been hired to participate told France Inter radio:
“I saw the Disney staff in a panic. Then, through a window, I saw a small child in a wedding dress. A woman was carrying her, and that’s when I realized the child was really young.”
In a statement, Disneyland Paris confirmed that the event was immediately canceled once irregularities were detected.
“A private event booked at our destination was immediately cancelled by our staff after irregularities were identified. Police were called and responded quickly,” the company stated.
The park, Europe’s most visited theme park, offers premium wedding packages, often using the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle as a backdrop. Disneyland Paris has filed a formal legal complaint and is cooperating fully with investigators.
