Jump to content

Where do I start planning a cruise wedding??


Minley16

Recommended Posts

Hi! So my last post introduced myself...I am Kim. My FI, Jason and I decided to get married and FAST. after years and years together we are going to make it happen this summer.

I have been looking at a bunch of ideas...originally I really, really wanted Aruba but I need to think about what is more affordable convenient for my family. I'm thinking a cruise wedding is the most low-key affordable option for us. However it seems more stressful. I cant find a lot of info.

We will pick the destination and ship based on whats available since it is last minute.

I have always wanted a beach wedding so I would like it to be at one of the ports.

My questions are...

What if the boat gets held up and doesn't make it to port on time or at all?

What if there is bad weather?

Can you still take OOT bags on board?

Is it better to go with an Island WC or should I plan it though the ship staff?

How can I avoid my FI seeing me until I walk down the island?

 

I have read nothing but negative things about a cruise wedding...does anything have any words of encouragement or good stories about theirs?

Thanks!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Hi! I am getting married Dec 16, 2013 on the Carnival Liberty.....

 

We my FI and I started booking the wedding we found out that you have to book your cruise first before anyone will even talk to you about weddings..... Right ater booking the cruise I called carnivals wedding department (The Wedding Experience) and booked our wedding! They then email a ton of paperwork and the only one that needed to be sent back quickly was the contract. But the Wedding Experience has been very helpful with answering my million questions, and was even very helpful with changing some things that my MIL messed up. With your OOT bags, They have told me they can come aboard along with some decorations (not candles or real flowers). BTW if you want this summer, book ASAP because they only allow a certain amount of weddings per cruise, and the wedding licence needs a set amount of time. I hope this has helped!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also, I have asked about the seeing my FI before the ceremony, and I was assured there are ways for it to happen if you express your wishes to your consultant.

 

I would assume it is better to go with a coordinator based from the cruiseline because I would think they would be able to pull more strings in event of canceled port. lateness, or weather issues. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I coordinated the ceremony in jamaica with the planner from Rose Hall Development, and the reception through the group coordinator onboard. Both were fantastic, but we had to wait until we were on the ship to really coordinate anything for the reception. The ceremony at Cinammon Hill at Rose Hall was unbelievable. We did the Liberty of the Seas 5 day cruise, had a TTD photoshoot in labadee before the wedding in Jamaica. We went on the same ship for the cruise immediately before to set everything up. I prepared OOT bags, which were delivered by group coordinator to staterooms for $2 per bag. He also printed our itineraries. We used Image, the onboard photography company, and they were incredible. The photographer did pur TTD shoot, wedding in the morning at jamaica, and evening reception. We had a cocktail for everyone before dinner. It was about $400 for 40 people including dj and open bar. We had our first dance etc during that time. Then we did dinner at the italian restaurant Portofino and had dancing at the latin club and then nightclub. The dress rehearsal was done in the side dining room, so we were able to set up everything, including a projector, for our roast and toast dinner. It was an unbelievable experience. I am very happy with how things went. We had 40 people total and everyone had a blast.400 400

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Depending on your budget and the amount of people you have, you might want to buy out the specialty restaurant. I think RC Chops Steakhouse and Portofino is like $2,500 or $3,000 for the whole place. Probably seat around 80-100 with staggered serving. That way you can have the room all night and decorate as you like, and probably set up some sort pf music or dj etc. you will have a different group coordinator onboard than the one that works with you before hand. They prove to be more helpful than corporate BUT if you need something special (ie I wanted manzanita tree arrangements) I suggest you bring it with you and give it to them once onboard. They also have lounges that you can book out for very reasonable open bar charge, like $10 pp. If youre booking the restaurant you can try and get in touch with manager once onboard, he helped us plan set menu and had them printed, set up our table runners and centerpieces, etc. We didnt like the band available so went with dj. We talked to dj once onboard as well, met him at the club and gave him list of songs and then had a couple of calls to follow up. Since you wont have time to do that, I would recommend, if you can budget it, going on the same ship and doing the cruise before your wedding cruise. It will give you and your fiancee (or bridesmaid or mom or whoever) chance to talk to everyone and organize. This was the best thing we could do. Once we sorted everything on the pre wedding cruise, we were able to relax and enjoy actual wedding cruise. You need to really be on top of corporate group coordinators in order to get them to communicate with you Just harass them with emails and calls. I would also speak to different ones when I called instead of asking for my coordinator. Once they realized it was the same person I think they figured it was better to help me out or I would confuse everyone and create double work. Maybe not the best strategy but basically I was a pain in the butt.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
Originally Posted by Minley16 View Post

 

Hi! So my last post introduced myself...I am Kim. My FI, Jason and I decided to get married and FAST. after years and years together we are going to make it happen this summer.

I have been looking at a bunch of ideas...originally I really, really wanted Aruba but I need to think about what is more affordable convenient for my family. I'm thinking a cruise wedding is the most low-key affordable option for us. However it seems more stressful. I cant find a lot of info.

We will pick the destination and ship based on whats available since it is last minute.

I have always wanted a beach wedding so I would like it to be at one of the ports.

My questions are...

What if the boat gets held up and doesn't make it to port on time or at all?

What if there is bad weather?

Can you still take OOT bags on board?

Is it better to go with an Island WC or should I plan it though the ship staff?

How can I avoid my FI seeing me until I walk down the island?

 

I have read nothing but negative things about a cruise wedding...does anything have any words of encouragement or good stories about theirs?

Thanks!!!

As far as the OOT bags go, you should have a problem as long as all of the liquids are 3 oz, per TSA requirements (if you are flying to the port). Cruise lines don't have strict rules like airlines do. Depending on whether you live in relation to the port and the number of guests attending, you could always pre assemble your bags and put them in a suitcase. Or you could just get check in early and assemble them in your room. (The first option sounds more appealing to me personally! I know that I'll be in vacation mode and ready to eat, drink and be merry! lol) 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 months later...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Minley16 View Post
 

Hi! So my last post introduced myself...I am Kim. My FI, Jason and I decided to get married and FAST. after years and years together we are going to make it happen this summer.

I have been looking at a bunch of ideas...originally I really, really wanted Aruba but I need to think about what is more affordable convenient for my family. I'm thinking a cruise wedding is the most low-key affordable option for us. However it seems more stressful. I cant find a lot of info.

We will pick the destination and ship based on whats available since it is last minute.

I have always wanted a beach wedding so I would like it to be at one of the ports.

My questions are...

What if the boat gets held up and doesn't make it to port on time or at all?

What if there is bad weather?

Can you still take OOT bags on board?

Is it better to go with an Island WC or should I plan it though the ship staff?

How can I avoid my FI seeing me until I walk down the island?

 

I have read nothing but negative things about a cruise wedding...does anything have any words of encouragement or good stories about theirs?

Thanks!!!

I think it's pretty rare that the boat gets held up.  Skipping a port, though, is quite common.  There was just another bride on the CC forums who had to adjust her wedding because a port got skipped.  I'm bringing OOT bags and plan to have them delivered.  As far as FH not seeing you, it's possible!  Mine will have a blindfold with him just in case. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • Best Destination Wedding Sponsors



    Facebook Pinterest Google+ Twitter
  • Posts

    • Hi everyone! I have been doing lots of research on various wedding venues all around Mexico, my fiance wants a destination wedding and I am happy to have a wedding wherever so long as the vibe is right and guests are happy!  I have been seriously looking at Cabo Azul and was trying to find potential costs for them, but only found a page about their wedding costs from 2010. Does anyone have any updated information on costs / reviews they would like to share of this venue? Or advice in general, anything helps. Thanks so much, happy wedding planning to all!
    • Hello everyone, I am dreaming of a wedding in Costa Rica and was wondering if I could get any help with venues and wedding planners. I am thinking Tamarindo because a close friend of mine lives there and I've been in town more than a couple of times, she's being helpful but is at a loss when it comes to this subject really so I was wondering if anyone here had recommendations. I am not closed to other town suggestions either, if I happen to find a good place and staff somewhere else. These are the places I have so far, has anyone had any experience with any of them?  Stay In Tamarindo Luxury Villas in Costa Rica Luxury Villas Pinilla Tropical Homes of Costa Rica The Point Luxury Villa Thank you so much for your help!
    • Have you ever considered having a wedding inside a bubble? With the current global situation, many couples are looking for unique and creative ways to celebrate their special day while keeping their guests safe. A wedding inside a bubble could provide a whimsical and intimate setting for your ceremony and reception. Imagine saying your vows surrounded by a beautiful bubble filled with twinkling lights and flowers, creating a magical atmosphere for you and your loved ones to enjoy.
    • Adult only resort or not? Let's discuss the pros and cons of choosing an adult-only resort for your honeymoon. While some couples may appreciate the peace and quiet that comes with an adults-only environment, others may prefer a more family-friendly atmosphere. What are your thoughts on this? Have you had any experiences at adult-only resorts that you'd like to share? Let's hear your opinions and recommendations!
    • When it comes to planning a wedding, one of the most exciting parts is choosing the perfect wedding favours for your guests. These small tokens of appreciation are a great way to thank your loved ones for being a part of your special day and to make them feel appreciated.
  • Topics

×
×
  • Create New...