Time on invitation for cruise wedding...

[hunniebee724]

I'm going through Carnival, and we won't find out the time of the ceremony until 2 weeks before the wedding. I do know that we have to be at the dock by 10:30...should I put that time on the invitation instead of the ceremony time?

[JessicaM]

If you dont know it already I wouldnt put it on there. Maybe just somewhere on there put "Details to Follow" or something like that. Then if you are doing OOT bags or something you can include an updated schedule to your guests once they are on board.

[Banana11]

I would just include what time they need to arrive at the port. For ceremony time put TBD. Are you going through TWE? I would assume there will be a WC there to help direct your guests.

[hunniebee724]

Carnival in NYC uses another company instead of TWE, but they provide a WC too. I think I'll just include the time they have to be at the port, because I'm sure my non-sailing guests will end up being late if I say the actual ceremony time.

[Banana11]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunniebee724 Carnival in NYC uses another company instead of TWE, but they provide a WC too. I think I'll just include the time they have to be at the port, because I'm sure my non-sailing guests will end up being late if I say the actual ceremony time.

Good idea! You do not want to deal with late guests.

[merocket59]

I put 10:30am, I read somewhere that the time to put is the time which guests should arrive not a ceremony start time because then guests would arrive when teh ceremony starts (reguardless of cruise or not) so I think it is even more important with a cruise wedding.

[Ceci21]

Congrats!

I would recommend that you put on your invitation something like "Join us for a port side ceremony on CCL Miracle on XX day at 10:30 am" On my save the dates I mentioned a shore side wedding in Nassau Bahamas since had not confirmed the time of the wedding. I also attached the cruise information to include the travel agents info.

I opted out in hiring TWE due to the reviews I have read...I was able to find a great WC in the Bahamas and saved a lot of money. Also, if you are looking for a good travel agent, checkout Liberty Travel, I got a great rate for my guest for a weekend cruise. They also give you cabin credits to use on board the ship for you guest! Also if you get a group rate for you guest early enough, they can pay through a period of time vs. paying everything at once. I was able to give my guest up to six months to pay for the cruise.

Good Luck!

Ceci

[hunniebee724]

Thanks everyone!

 

Ceci....My friend is a TA so we're going through her. She put together a great payment plan for my guests so that they can make payments until the final payment is due in June 2010. We're also getting the room credit and wine in every room...and every 16th person is free! Carnival uses their own WC's and "A Wedding for You" for the ceremony. I'm glad I don't have to deal with TWE, because I've heard the stories! The Carnival WC's aren't very responsive from what I hear, but my TA friend is also an event planner.

[Ceci21]

Thats great! TA is the way to go!

[TA Dina]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunniebee724 Thanks everyone! Ceci....My friend is a TA so we're going through her. She put together a great payment plan for my guests so that they can make payments until the final payment is due in June 2010. We're also getting the room credit and wine in every room...and every 16th person is free! Carnival uses their own WC's and "A Wedding for You" for the ceremony. I'm glad I don't have to deal with TWE, because I've heard the stories! The Carnival WC's aren't very responsive from what I hear, but my TA friend is also an event planner.

Just to clarify because it gets confusing with Carnival...but you will eventually deal with TWE as they work with all the major cruise lines on the weddings. Carnival will pass off the entire wedding to them at some point right before (except for a few ports where they use different vendors), and they will coordinate the ceremony etc. I believe (if it hasn't changed) they also get involved earlier if you are doing things like upgrades to flowers, transportation etc.