Planning a Cruise Wedding: A Complete Guide for the Perfect Destination Celebration
How To Plan A Cruise Wedding
Planning a wedding is not at all an easy task and when you want to have a dreamy cruise wedding, then it becomes even more stressful. A cruise wedding is most certainly an unforgettable and a special experience one could ever think of. A cruise wedding combines romance with stunning views and excitement of having a floating celebration. If you are someone who wants to have a destination wedding without the hassle of anything, then a cruise is the answer to your dreamy wedding destination. There are certain points that one needs to take care of before planning the ultimate dreamy cruise wedding. This blog will guide you through them.
Decide the Type of Cruise Wedding you want
Before hopping on the main planning, it is important to make your mind about the kind of wedding you want. Mainly two types of weddings are there that you can have on a cruise, one being an onboard wedding and the other is a port-of-call wedding. Onboard wedding gives you a chance to exchange vows in a beautiful chapel or a private suite, whereas going for a port-of-call wedding will take you in the middle of an iconic landmark, be it a tropical paradise or a serene beach.
Select your Cruise Line and Ship
Choosing the appropriate cruise line is most certainly a crucial aspect of planning. Every cruise line has different facilities and experiences. They have a variety of wedding packages. Some of the best cruise lines for planning your wedding are:
- Royal Caribbean: offers luxurious ships and grand wedding venues
- Carnival Cruise Line: Fun, vibrant atmosphere; good option for an affordable price
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Offers flexible wedding options
- Celebrity Cruises: Offers sophisticated and grand luxury experience
Pick a Cruise Itenary
The next step involved in planning your cruise wedding is to finalize the destinations and other necessary things, such as the duration of the cruise and the season. You should select the length of the cruise considering all the things related to your pre and post wedding ceremonires. It is essential to be mindful when you select the time of your wedding. The weather should be nice and pleasant. Avoid making your bookings during the hurricane season.
Set your Wedding Budget
Deciding on your wedding budget is equally important before planning your wedding. A destination cruise wedding can be more affordable than a usual wedding if you consider the right options. A diverse variety of wedding packages offer different options, ranging from basic ceremonies to grand celebrations. You should keep in mind the following things before setting your wedding cost:
- Cruise wedding package cost
- Additional costs for decoration, photography and entertainment purposes
- Guest travel and their accommodations
- Food and drink
Plan the Details of the Wedding and Ceremonies
When you are done with your package bookings, that includes finalizing your ceremony locations, hiring a wedding coordinator and other essentials, then it is necessary to start planning for the specifics of the ceremony and reception. Decide on your wedding attire, music and the reception location. You can choose a private venue, a casual gathering venue or even a port destination.
Plan your Guest List
Curating a guest list is one of the major parts of organising a wedding. Deciding on whether you want an intimate wedding or a big fat wedding is mandatory before making your guest list. After your guest list is prepared, send the wedding invites as early as you can so that your guests can plan their schedule well in advance for your destination cruise wedding. Your invitations should include details like:
- Cruise details: Ship name, departure date and port of departure.
- Booking Information: Give a guide to your guests to help them with bookings
- Event Details: Wedding date, functions and locations
Take Care of Legal Requirements
It becomes extremely important to understand the legalities of getting married on a cruise ship or in a foreign country. If you are planning to get married at sea, then some cruise ships can get you legally married onboard with the captain acting as the officiant. Check all the details priorly as this varies by cruise lines. If you are going with a port wedding, you will have to ensure that you comply with the local marriage laws. Some locations require specific documentation. Go through all the details.
Customize your Wedding
Enhancing your wedding with a personal touch is the key to make your wedding even more beautiful. When you are arranging for a destination wedding than you have to take care of the planning of your ceremonies alongside creating an experience for your guests. It becomes important to consider and plan everything accordingly so that your guests also have the best experience. Plan for pre wedding events, ceremonies and excursions where everyone can come together and can enjoy and have fun.
Enjoy your Honeymoon
After your wedding is completed, having your honeymoon on a cruise is the ideal option. After the tiring event of wedding, relaxing on the cruise is just the option to enjoy and spend some quality time with your partner. You can take advantage of luxurious facilities onboard. You can go on excursions and do various other activities and enjoy your time as a newly wedded couple.
Now that you know all the necessary points before planning a cruise wedding, you can plan your wedding without any hassle. From choosing the right cruise to personalizing your wedding according to your choices, there are numerous ways to make your wedding a memorable one. Absolutely stunning views, top notch amenities and endless fun is why you should maary on a cruise. Happy sailing and congratulations for your upcoming wedding!
