Thoughts on cruise wedding plan?

[acireta]

Everyone on this board has so many great ideas I would never think of in a million years, so I wanted to throw this out to see if anyone has some insight. This would be my ideal plan but I'm sure it will evolve along the way!

 

Tentative idea is to take a 7-day cruise (Princess or Carnival) in March or April 2012. We'll book through a TA and use TWE for a shoreside ceremony in St. Thomas (Limetree maybe?), pics on the beach and hopefully Paradise Point, and then a shipboard cocktail reception and dinner in one of the specialty restaurants, heading to the disco after that.

 

I've read the horror stories about TWE but all the things they seem to screw up are either things that I don't care about or things that can be solved on the ship.

 

We also plan on doing a cocktail party early in the week to welcome everyone and maybe a cabana for the group at one of the beach locations.

 

Anyone have any thoughts about this plan? We'll be missing hurricane season, but I wonder if there are other things I should consider before moving forward. We're pretty tied to the idea of a cruise and St. Thomas.

 

Anyone have thoughts of Carnival vs. Princess or other aspects? Thanks!

[Aumuller]

I think your plan sounds great. In terms of Carnival vs Princess I am deciding this too for my honeymoon. It really depends what you are looking for. Princess is more high class and beautiful where Carnival is younger and a slightly more "fun" ship. So depends what kind of guests you are having and what type of vacation you would want I would say.

[acireta]

that's kind of what i was thinking. Princess might be a bit more upscale, but then again Carnival really was such a good time when I was on it... I have a bit of both in my group I think.

[Banana11]

You should check into using a local planner if you are doing a shoreside wedding.  TWE is known to be more expensive.  I'm not sure how TWE is doing with communication these days.  I have heard they are great at communicating until you sign a contract and then hard to get a hold of.  Things could be different now, not sure.

[acireta]

i think we kind of had a breakthrough last night about the on-island coordinator.

 

if we use an on-island coordinator and do a light lunch cocktail reception on the island with time left before we have to reboard the ship, we could provide dinner for everyone at one of the specialty restaurants right? even if we didn't call it a "wedding reception". I've also heard you can special order a cake in this situation?

[goodtoglow]

 

 

Originally Posted by acireta 

 

i think we kind of had a breakthrough last night about the on-island coordinator.

 

if we use an on-island coordinator and do a light lunch cocktail reception on the island with time left before we have to reboard the ship, we could provide dinner for everyone at one of the specialty restaurants right? even if we didn't call it a "wedding reception". I've also heard you can special order a cake in this situation?

 

This is what we have done!

We are using an on-island coordinator in St Thomas (Island Bliss Weddings) and then after the ceremony everyone will have the remainder of the day to do as they please (and we are giving plenty of notice so everyone can plan their day, as well as making sure taxi's are available to drive everyone to wherever they would like to go). We have rented out the entire Steakhouse on the ship (Harry's Supper Club on Carnival Liberty - it seats 108 and we have 80+ coming, so we figured we may as well rent the entire thing out). We are going to purchase wine packages and drink coupons so that the liquor doesn't cost us too much during the reception.

 

The only downside is that in order to get the complete Steakhouse menu (the group one is so small and is missing all of the good parts about the Steakhouse!) we have to compromise with our seating times.... so at 6pm the bridal party and their significant others will go in... at 7:15pm family will come in.... and then we are having our friends come and have a few drinks at the bar at 8pm and they will be seated as soon as the restaurant can seat them.... we will have to start speeches while the final seating is eating, however our friends won't mind and that way our family doesn't have to sit there for hours waiting for our friends to eat before speeches and the first dance! And of course it will be a long night for our wedding party but that is what an open bar is for!

[goodtoglow]

 

Here is the cake order form I received from the groups rep.... since the Steakhouse has such an amazing dessert menu, we will probably just get a 2 tier cake for up to 50 guests. I doubt anyone will be eating the cake since they will be so stuffed from dinner!   ______ Item #GS1 - Small specialty two tier cake (up to 20 guests) - $ 50.00, plus 15% service charge ______ Item #GS2 - Large specialty two tier cake (up to 50 guests) - $ 75.00, plus 15% service charge ______ Item #GS3 - Three tier specialty cake (up to 75 guests) - $125.00, plus 15% service charge ______ Item #GS4 - Four tier specialty cake (up to 150 guests) - $175.00, plus 15% service charge   Please select one (1) of the following cake flavors: ______ Butter Vanilla ______ Chocolate ______ Mixed Tiers - Butter Vanilla & Chocolate (tier flavor order/combination, at Chef’s discretion)   Please select one (1) of the following cake fillings: ______ Vanilla ______ Chocolate ______ Strawberry   Special Note: Your cake will be decorated with a smooth white butter cream frosting. Layers are placed atop one another; we do not have push pillars. Other color, flavor, style, or filling selections are not available. In addition; Tiered Cakes do not come with a cake topper. Guests will have to bring their own.

[acireta]

that's awesome, thanks for the info! we're also using Island Bliss Weddings! Janelle has been great so far.

 

Since the ceremony includes champagne/punch and cake, we'll do toasts and stuff there. then i think we'll be doing a lunch reception somewhere on the island, then dinner as usual in the dining room since we have the late seating. if we end up having a huge group going we'll do the steakhouse that night.

 

i hope people will still have a little bit of time after lunch to shop or look around for a little bit. the ship doesnt leave until 6, so i expect they will.

[acireta]

we are booked with Carnival! so excited to move forward with planning! STD magnets are on their way

[goodtoglow]

 

 

Originally Posted by acireta 

 

we are booked with Carnival! so excited to move forward with planning! STD magnets are on their way

 

Congrats on booking!!! It is such an exciting feeling!