Cruise Bride-Jamaica

Hey Ladies,

I'm getting married in Montego Bay, Jamaica on November 25 and I can't make a decision on how I should arrange the day. Should I have an early wedding or an afternoon one? Should I have a reception lunch, or just wait until we get back on the boat? Basically, I still want my guests to be able to visit the island.

Here's what I'm thinking so far:

We're supposed to be in Montego Bay, at 9:00 AM

9:00: Guests depart ship

9:30: Guests transported to wedding site (beach that is 15-20 mins. away)

10:00: Ceremony

10:30 Pictures and Cake/Champagne Reception

11:30 Guests transported back to ship (change/lunch/excursion, etc.)

Later that night, we we're going to have a cocktail hour on the ship, before dinner...

Does that sound okay My only problem with this is that I have to get dressed twice. (one for the ceremony and then reception on the ship).

Any suggestions would help!!!

There is always a big crowd getting off the ship right away. You may want to push it back a bit. We had a 1 p.m. ceremony that ended up taking place around 1:45 because of a missing minister. We were very rushed to get back to the ship by 4:15. Practically no time for pictures and celebrating. I think having it earlier in the day is a great idea but you may want to shoot for 11 or so. Give yourself enough time to get ready, get to your ceremony location, and take in the moment!

Thanks!!! That's what I was wondering. I haven't been on a cruise in a long time, and I couldn't remember how long it took to get off the boat. How far was your ceremony from the port? Did you just have the ceremony and how long was it? Did you do your reception on the ship?

I would agree with not trying to have your group debark at the time that the ship docks bc it'll never work. Ppl with shore excursions that were booked thru the ship always get off first. I agree to push it back a bit. Also do you have to go to the courthouse or anything?

We are getting married in St Thomas and we have to go to the courthouse 1st to sign paperwork so... I'll give you an idea ab my schedule (ok so clearly im making it up as i go and then I'll cut and paste it and have it done haha)

Our ship docks in St Thomas at 7 am (shiptime which is 8 am island time). We leave St Thomas at 6pm.

9:00 Breakfast for the entire group in the ships dining room

9:45-10 the entire group will debark the ship (together this is why we have everyone meeting up at breakfast)

10-10:20 Entire group will be transported to the beach (which is far from the port)

11 am Wedding begins

12 Wedding ends (it"ll prolly end closer to 11:30-11:45 if it starts on time lol)

12-12:20 group transported to Reception venue

12:30-!2:45 reception luncheon begins

2:30 Leave reception for island tour

3:30 Island tour ends

3:30 -5:30 free time to shop or hit the beach (most likely ppl will go back to the ship at this point)

Now here are the amendments

FI will debark between 8- 8:30am and be transported to courthouse. He will then return to the ship and board the bus to the wedding site with the rest of the group.

I will debark between 9-9:30 and be transported to the courthouse. I will then head straight to the wedding site.

We will travel on the buses with the rest of the group for the rest of the day.

Thanks so much!!! I didn't even think about the court house and traffic... Ooops! The island tour sounds like a great idea.

Hi Betandpjk have you selected your location and all for your wedding as yet?

It's going to be at Tropical Beach. Almarie from Tropical Weddings is the coordinator. She said it's only 15 to 20 minutes away from the pier.

Hello betandpjk,

I'm new here and excited to see that someone is using the same WC, Almarie. So far so good, and i'm very excited. My wedding is in less then 3 mos and I wish I had found this site a lot sooner. I have changed my package with Almarie due to some of the great ideas and suggestions on this site. I would to talk with you more regarding some of your plans and the prices she quoted you.