Jd2005

Past brides.... Carnival has asked for proof of marriage before we go, is the license sufficient?

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Hello future brides! I just got married last week on the Carnival Ecstasy in Charleston. It was a GREAT experience. Stop stressing! We were married in port on embarkation day with the Time to Celebrate BIG package. We had 75 guests with 33 of them sailing. We only had two attendants, a MOH and BM. Boarding the ship was a slow process but we enjoyed talking and the air conditioned buses that they gathered us in were nice. I brought all of my decorations, guestbook, programs and favors in a Rubbermaid tub and assigned someone to carry it. Once onboard I explained the items to the wedding coordinator and she set them all up. I brought my dress in it's garment bag and assigned several strong men to help carry it. My MOH also got dressed on the ship since there were just the two of us. Once onboard we had just enough time to get dressed and then it was time to go! Someone asked about pictures on this thread. Pictures are taken in your stateroom about 20 mins before the ceremony, during the ceremony, after the ceremony (formal shots with guests), during the reception and be ready for a loooooong photo shoot after the reception. We took pictures before and after the muster drill and finished just in time for dinner. Everything was great. We brought our own minister. The pacing of everything was great. I had been worried that the reception was too short, but I think it was the perfect amount of time. The photos are beautiful and I loved being able to have them to show to everyone the last night at dinner. We bought the smallest package and bought a $3 photo album onboard to put the pictures in (photo albums are on sale the last sailing day). We also bought the video. There were a few hiccups, but Carnival has done a good job resolving them. Be prepared for everyone on the ship to know you are the newly weds and have lots of attention. Also, go to the Love and Marriage game on the last day. The questions were embarrassing to answer in front of family but still fun! I am going to try to figure out how to upload some of my pictures. Let me know if you have questions!

Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to your pictures!

They have promised that getting him on the ship would be easy. Fingers crossed! The wedding is set for June 18 in Freeport, adding my brother on was all last minute so I didn't really plan around him, and I also wanted to do it as easy as possible

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I was under the impression that you had to married while the ship was docked?

Hmm. Mine isn't legal, I'm having to get legally married first. But I was told that you could not get married on a day when it was sailing. I'm ok with it since my brother is unable to sail but is able to fly to the Bahamas for the day. I just hope they're giving out correct information. I'm also only on a 5 day cruise, that may have something to do with it?

If you book before your cruise the Weddings department will share as much info with you as they can and they will allow you to choose your entertainment options (if you book the larger package) which will secure where your reception is.

 

Once your onboard you'll work with a coordinator that will help you to get everything set up. Our coordinator contacted us the first night at dinner, we met with her the next morning at breakfast, and she laid out what our options were (we elected for the day after (2nd sea day on the way to our first port). You can't do embark day, debark, or formal nights. We got married three years ago and some things have changed (the cost of photography O.O), but there is a review in my signature.

I was under the impression that you had to married while the ship was docked?

This was a few years ago- so I would think the prices may have gone up. We paid $1400 for the book, several 8x10's and a CD (which gave up Carnival's copyrights to us so we could print anywhere). This was definitely more than we had intended to pay, but we ended up with an incredible photographer.

I'm hoping I can stay around $1000 for pictures!

Remember- you can negotiate for what you want. We ended up buying the book the photographer put together for us- and he threw in a CD with ALL of the pictures for free.

How much did you end up paying?

Both of these look great and very unique..debating on doing any invitations and/or STD at all. We will have very few people going, my family is just going to the ceremony and reception and then getting off, we have another set of friends that is doing the same d/t the fact that she will have a young baby. We have another set of friends and their family that will be cruising with us, just not sure if worth the effort and cost but kind of want to do just to do it.... IDK..:rolleyes:

You could do something very simple, just for the formality of it. My invites and save the dates were $20 from vista print

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Why?!

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I bought mine 2 sizes too small. Took me 45 pounds to fit into it

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I did save the dates one year out that contained all of the travel info and the travel agents info. Formal invitations went out 4 months out

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I called my travel agent today to make the final payment for our cruise, and found out that because I had 8 cabins book through her I would get a $650 credit towards the price of our cruise, and all of my cabins would receive a $50 on board credit and a bottle of wine.

Our sail date is June 15th...were getting excited!

I am doing an onboard wedding in Nassau, my brother is unable to sail because of a new position at work. I found out a few days ago that he can fly to the Bahamas and come on the ship for the entire time we are docked. Yay! I couldn't imagine saying I do without my brother giving me away

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Your pictures are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing. I'm hoping to stay around $1k for pictures. Am j being unrealistic ?

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You should find out what day pretty soon after booking. As for time I was told two weeks prior I would know an exact time, but I was given a general idea

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We finally booked! Now we're trying to tackle the guest list...

 

Does anyone know if childcare can be provided for non-sailing guests? We were considering a child-free reception but still having a few family kids in the ceremony (my nieces would love to be flower girls).

 

If not, anyone have any kid-friendly ideas for the reception? I'm afraid it would be boring for them!

I doubt there's child care, kids club doesn't even open on embarkation day. Children go to wedding all the time and end up having more fun than adults, but if you're concerned you can always do a kid free wedding with the exception of the bridal party

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Does anyone know if you have to buy an entire package of photos of the wedding or can you just buy certain ones? We are considering doing our wedding on the Vista next January.

 

 

 

Thank you,

 

Joanna

Carnival lets you buy individuals. They should have sent you pricing with your original paperwork

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You ordered flowers to decorate? I bought my bouquet and boutenier but I hadn't thought about more flowers

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So...whenever I contact Carnival Weddings, I do so via email - basically so I can have it in writing. So here I am waiting (probably a few more days) to get my question answered and I am wondering if a fellow bride had this come up.

 

 

 

We are doing the Time to Celebrate Big package and it is $30 per person over our initial 20 guests. I know that under 7 guests are free (we have 1 little one) but what about children? I feel like I have seen a reduced price somewhere but maybe it was for something else.

Nope. I have several children and everyone over 7 pays the regular price

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Most people I have talked to have felt rushed with their 1.5 hour receptions. I opted for the two hours just to be safe

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What kind of favors did everyone give out? I'm doing a nice welcome bag so was thinking of keeping the favors simple.

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Hi..

 

Ive never been one a cruise before but we are wanting to get married on one! I don't even know where to begin the process, so I can please get a little advice or suggestions on what cruise to take and where to go? Ive always wanted to do a European cruise but I'll save that for me and the future husband! :D

 

I don't want a lot guest but I was wondering how it would work with guest cruising with us...is there a discount or are they included in the wedding package.. :eek: Super lost please help!!!!

Your best bet is to call the wedding department for whatever cruise line you're interested in. I'm doing carnival because I feel you get more for your money. You basically pay for your wedding and reception and you and your guests pay for your own cabins. Still much cheaper than a traditional wedding. Someone posted a price list earlier, and I know carnival has pricing right on their website. You do get a discount if you have enough guests sailing with you. Good luck planning! These boards are super helpful

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My daughter was married on the Fascination. We had 68 sailing & 47 non sailing. The 1 1/2 hr reception flew by & did not seem long enough, but it's never long enough when you're having a good time. Since there were so many friends and family sailing, the party continued for 5 days. The newly weds felt like they were busy entertaining or socializing with friends, but did make time for each other everyday. They said they would not have done it differently. The Carnival planner that cruised with us was very helpful and took care of any of their needs throughout the cruise. It was a wonderful wedding and cruise. My friends, who attended wedding, but didn't sail, still say it was the best wedding ever. For the money, I thought it was well worth it. If you have a "group" cruise, Carnival will provide a 1 hr cocktail party for all of you one evening of your cruise. (Make sure you book your room with the group, I booked daughter's before group set up & had to pay for bride & groom to attend, since they weren't included in group!) Anyway, I highly recommend a cruise wedding!

Was your cocktail hour offered by your planner? This is the first I'm hearing of this. My wedding is set for June 18 on the Sunshine. All of a sudden it feels like it's coming up so quickly!

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I just found out from my travel agent that Carnival will perform a symbolic ceremony for you if you are already married but they perform the ceremony as if the couple is not married so the family doesn't have to know that the couple has already exchanged vows elsewhere. That might be an option for you if you really want the Breeze, but want to begin the rest of your life with your soulmate. I was thinking about this for my fiance and I because of taxes and medical insurance (so unromantic I know).

This is what I'm doing. We are going to the justice of the peace without telling anyone and we won't exchange rings until the carnival wedding. They actually only perform symbolic ceremonies, you have to have a marriage license into them prior to the cruise

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Does anyone know if non sailing guests can meet us at the Keywest port and join us on the boat for the ceremony and reception?

I've been wondering the same. My brother can't come on the cruise because of a new promotion at work, I was thinking of flying him into the Bahamas but I haven't looked into it yet

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