Cruise Ship Weddings – Set a Course For Romance
June 14, 2009 by Elegant Bridal Accessories
Filed under Bridal Ideas
If you love the adventure of traveling by ship, a wedding aboard a cruise ship might be just perfect for you. It is a fun take on the basic destination wedding, as you and your guests will get to enjoy a variety of destinations as part of the wedding weekend (or however long you choose). These are some of the things that you will want to keep in mind while planning a cruise ship wedding.
First of all, it is a myth that any ship’s captain has the authority to perform a marriage ceremony. The truth is that most do not, unless they are also a justice of the peace or a judge. If you have your heart set on being wed by a ship’s captain, there are at least one or two cruise lines who do offer this service, having made sure that their captains are legally authorized to do so.
Couples who opt for a cruise line with an onboard wedding chapel with specially authorized captains can be married at sea while cruising, but most cruise ship weddings actually take place while docked in a port of call or on land at one of the destinations along the way. In some areas, you will need to obtain a marriage license from the port of call; others will allow you to bring along a license issued in your home state. Be sure to do your legwork well in advance to avoid any last minute legal issues! Most cruise lines have dedicated wedding planners who can help you sort all of this out.
As fun as it is to be married while out cruising the ocean, there is one reason to have your wedding while docked. This is to allow extra guests to join you for your ceremony and reception who may not be able to come aboard for the entire cruise. As with any destination wedding, each guest has to pay for his own trip, so a lengthy cruise wedding vacation will certainly end up cutting down on the number of guests who are able to attend, either for financial reasons or for time. A good rule of thumb is to allow those close to you to make their own decision about whether or not to attend your cruise wedding. In other words, invite all of those closest to you; don’t exclude someone from the guest list on the assumption that they will not make the trip. You might be surprised by who actually does decide to join you.
Most cruise ships will have all-inclusive wedding packages in place. These usually cover all of your basic elements, such as the chapel, flowers, food, music, and photographer. Each ship will have its own style, so do a lot of research before settling on one for your wedding. Be sure to get plenty of pictures and recommendations from weddings they have previously arranged. As with any destination or long distance wedding, it is also important that you feel comfortable with their coordinator, as you will be putting a lot of faith in them.
A wedding on a cruise ship is a great excuse to dress up, both for the bridal party and the guests. A long train might be cumbersome, but you can still choose a very elegant and sophisticated bridal gown accented with dazzling crystal jewelry. When you are shopping for your wedding dress and crystal bridal jewelry, think of the debonair style of an old movie. Of course, if you are being married on the beach instead of the ship, you might go with a more simple windswept style of gown. Don’t forget to pack your white bikini for the honeymoon portion of the cruise!
A cruise ship wedding is a great way to have a unique destination wedding. The best part is that you will get to spend some extra time with your family and friends in the days before and after your wedding. And of course, a wedding on a ship has the same lure as any other destination wedding, which is that it makes for a fast getaway to the honeymoon.
About the Author Bridget Mora
Let us know if you need assistance in any area of planning your wedding.Take advantage of Bridget’s experience helping clients select jewelry and accessories. Crystal bridal jewelry is a wonderful way to add sparkle and glamour to your wedding gown.
Wedding Accessories for Destination and Cruise Ship Weddings
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– Sand
$0.48 USD each |
– Airplane
$0.48 USD each |
– Las Vegas
$0.58 USD |
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- Eiffel Tower Card
$0.58 USD |
Stamp Card
$0.58 USD |
Luggage Tag Card
$0.58 USD |
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Favor Gift
as low as $1.48 USD each |
Suitcase Container
as low as $1.98 USD each |
Packaging Favor
as low as $2.48 USD |
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Gift Favor
as low as $2.98 USD each |
Retractable Handle
as low as $3.00 USD each |
Beach Chairs
as low as $2.98 USD each |
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Stopper
as low as $2.78 USD each |
Stickers
$0.38 USD each |
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Cards
$0.48 USD |
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/ Place Cards
$0.48 USD |
Favor / Place Cards
$0.48 USD |
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Favor / Place Cards
$0.48 USD |
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Satin Wrapped Pen Set
$29.98 USD |
Topper
$29.98 USD |
Flower Girl Basket
$35.98 USD |
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Ring Pillow
$35.98 USD |
Traditional Guest Book
$39.98 USD |
Collection
$19.98 – $39.98 USD |
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Ceremony Set
$59.98 USD |
Natural Shells
$0.00 USD |
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