A British man has been taken into custody following a highly controversial event at Disneyland Paris, where he allegedly staged a mock wedding ceremony with a nine-year-old girl. The incident, which unfolded in the early hours of 21 June, drew considerable attention from both authorities and crowds present at the theme park, sparking questions about event security and oversight at such popular venues.
According to reports, the 22-year-old British national, believed to be the main organiser of the event, assumed the role of “groom” during the ceremony. The young girl involved was identified as a Ukrainian national, aged just nine, who was dressed in bridal attire for the occasion. Multiple sources, including French media outlets, have stated that the event was presented to park officials as a legitimate wedding ceremony and took place beneath Disneyland Paris’s iconic Sleeping Beauty castle.
Footage broadcast by BFM TV revealed an elaborate production: as many as 100 seated guests watched while a group of violinists performed, setting the stage for what appeared to be an authentic wedding celebration. The entire affair, which reportedly cost organisers around €130,000 (around £111,000), featured lavish floral displays and was held during pre-arranged private hours, ensuring public access was restricted.
A spokesperson for the Seine-et-Marne prosecutor’s office provided further details on subsequent police actions. Four individuals were detained and questioned: the alleged organiser, the mother of the child (a 41-year-old Ukrainian woman), and two Latvian nationals, aged 55 and 24. Initial statements from the British suspect asserted that the entire event was a staged production intended for a social media video, not a real marriage.
After intervention by Disneyland Paris staff—who quickly grew suspicious upon noticing the age of the “bride”—the authorities were immediately alerted, halting proceedings before the ceremony could progress further. Official statements from Disney praised the quick actions of their employees, highlighting the company’s commitment to safety and guest welfare. “Disneyland handles things very well,” shared one attendee, “they immediately cancelled when they realised that the bride was a child. We were appalled by that.”
Medical examinations of the child found no evidence of abuse or coercion, according to officials familiar with the case. As investigations unfolded, the child’s mother and the older Latvian guest were released. However, the British organiser and the younger Latvian were detained on suspicions of offences including potential money laundering and fraud, as authorities explored whether the lavish event’s financing was entirely above board.
In the wake of the incident, attendees who believed they had been invited to a legitimate wedding expressed their shock and confusion. “We were not informed at any point that it was about a film shoot,” a guest told the French newspaper Le Parisien. “Everyone was shocked. No one saw this coming.”
As police continue to investigate both the intent behind the event and the source of the substantial funds used, this story has reignited debates about the responsibilities of venues and event organisers, especially when vulnerable individuals are involved. The bizarre episode has also prompted calls for more rigorous verification processes for private events hosted at tourist destinations frequented by families and children.
Disneyland Paris remains silent on whether they plan to adjust their internal protocols, but did issue thanks to their security staff and the alert employees who intervened. Meanwhile, the story continues to gain traction online and across European media, with many expressing relief that the situation was stopped before any harm occurred.
For now, the incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of staging attention-grabbing social media content and the potential consequences when such acts skirt the boundaries of legality and ethical decency. The outcome of the ongoing investigation into possible financial crime and fraud is keenly awaited.