wakeupinanewland

Yes!!

Sorry I will try to figure out the PM as well, doesn't seem simple! Yes, I did an online save the date with RSVP, and we just discussed it over the phone for non sailing guests who don't have email, and they said whether or not they were interested. Then, I realized I didn't want multiple mailings to handle. I found a mini book invitation that let me put my creative juices to work. The invitation reads like an 8 page booklet with an invitation, letter to guests, booking info, schedule for the day, and directions, with registry, website, and contact info on the back cover. I didn't thinking it would be affordable but we got an awesome discount. It really helps that it is only being sent to those who intend to go. Our date is January 15, and I started sending invites at the beginning of September. Its pretty early but as you see above I thought I needed ID info from everyone. Turns out its just the non sailing guests. We asked for it in the invite, but will collect the info by phone. Best part of all of this is that my invite is 5x7 and fits the weight allowance for a 49 cent stamp. Might send a second card for the holidays with greetings and last minute reminders (bring Id, no physical gifts onboard, those who are late may not board).

Hope this helps! I tried sending a friend request too.

Yes, our rsvp online indicated that they would sail. Be firm. I am using the same logic to keep it small. Only use non - sailing on a case by case basis if needed. I sent invitations to all who RSVPed, and to immediate family. They are very detailed and have gone over super well. PM me as we have similar numbers and I just got through this part. I'm so happy to help another cruise bride out! Yeah for intimate cruise weddings!!

Hi, I will bring decorations for my cake. That is it. Hooray!! I don't remember anything about a color scheme... Although we do have 3 colors, and guests are welcome to wear them.

Just saw this thread today. Please send a copy to me too. mcdonaldmk2@gmail.com my daughter is getting married February 2016 on Carnival Inspiration. Thank you

Congrats to your daughter! I'll be getting married on the Inspiration in January of 2016. As another poster recommended, call Carnival weddings and request a ship tour. They will give you the options of several days a few weeks out or possibly more (because they have to collect your info for Homeland Security to approve for boarding).

You are allowed to bring up to 4 people for the inspection for no fee (other than parking, which is now $19). It is really helpful, as you can walk through what is to be expected and meet the coordinators. They are very nice, and answered so many of my questions!

Best wishes to your daughter, and look forward to seeing you all on the 2016 brides thread!

We chose based on the desired length of engagement, avoiding hotter summer months, and an available vacation weekend to minimize the number of days guests would have to take off. We decided on January.

Hi,

You don't have to pay for kids under a certain age (maybe 7?) but they are included in your head count.

Ha! That is really cute! We wrote a letter in our invitation, and let them know to contact us if they have any questions (I'm confident more than a few will wonder why all this is necessary to attend a silly 'ole wedding). I'm thinking phone or email will work for most of our list (those who have already booked their rooms), and I can try to make space on the RSVP for our non-sailing guests.

I have at least 20 non-sailing guests. Where is the information for the sailing guests available? I have their booking information, but the wedding paperwork asks for their birth date, identification type and number, and legal name (sometimes people go by names that are different than their ID). Just trying to prevent day-of surprises.. at least those that I can.

I spent roughly 4-6 weeks looking through invitations prior to making my final decision. So relieved! We just ordered them about an hour ago. Now its time to collect addresses so they will be ready to send out by the end of the month. Only those who have not already booked will have to send in an actual RSVP.

What was the best way to get all the info you need to submit to Carnival? I don't want people to have to mail their birthdate, passport/license#, etc. Did email or phone work best for you?

Hi,

"Best" depends on your budget and the experience you want. Since you have done Carnival in the past, I would check them out. Dollar for dollar, they provide the best value. H

If you plan on having a reception that is longer than 90 minutes, you might want to have your guests sail with you rather than doing an "embarkation" wedding in port. I'm okay with 90 minutes because half of our party so far will be sailing with us.

If you feel like you must get married on the deck of the ship, Celebrity is the option for you.

Several people here are doing Norwegian and Royal Caribbean. Read through the forums to see what you like. I think many of us like being able to focus on our personal touches (dress, silk flowers, favors) and have a pretty laid back ceremony taken care of by the line.

I'm 5 months away from my Carnival cruise, everything is planned, and I'm a very happy bride. Oh, and I planned the cruise part just two months ago. It took less than a week.

I am assuming this differs by port. We were told to have our guests there by 10:30am. We will get there by 10am.

Hello, hopefully you can answer a question for me. I am getting married on Oct 17, 2015 on Carnival Freedom, I know this is a different ship than yours, but I was wondering if you could tell me the check in process for you? I was able to view the wedding process for another bride on a tour that the ship gave me and I noticed that the wedding party were coming in at different times, even after 10:30am. Even one of the brides walked in at 10:30am. I was told to have myself and my whole wedding party to arrive at the ship no later than 9:30am. Was this the same for you? Did you have people arrive later than that?

Haha! You'll be okay! I'm hoping to also have mine in the show lounge on our ship. My plan is to walk VERY SLOWLY with my father to a slow song. That is truly my moment to soak everything in, and there is no need to rush. I do think you might want to have whoever is walking with you link their arm around the arm you are holding your bouquet with, so that you can also grab the stair rail if needed for support. One step at a time once you are on the aisle and going up the stairs (perhaps by the stairs, you are by yourself). So excited for you!!!

Oh, and eat something when you get on board. One of FI's friend's girlfriends said she was willing to help with anything onboard. I said, could you be in charge of going to Lido and making sure I get something to eat? DONE. I'm confident even a few bites of something will help keep me stable for the journey ahead ;0

Hi, I don't have any recommendations in your area, but can tell you I found resources local to my area by using Yelp. In the end, a friend who is attending the wedding will do makeup before we go to the ship, and touchups throughout the day. I'm clueless left to my own devices.

My quick tips:

1) Don't try to see or do it all. Read the reviews for ports here on CC, and decide what experiences are valuable for you both as a couple. I'm booking a catamaran sail, because it ensures we will have a day with 12 people as opposed to 3000. I'm also booking a tour through a destination that has beautiful rainforests. I'm okay with going with the flow and figuring out other destinations closer to the date.

2) You don't have to pay for extra amenities. Concierge class is special enough, from what I've heard. We decided to book a balcony (not in Concierge), and will most likely add the Deluxe Celebration Package. That was a special combo for us.

3) Read ship reviews from others who have sailed on your ship. Join the roll call for your week. These are the best ways to find out tips. I'm sure you will find quiet spaces, but I don't know your ship. We are counting on the balcony as our quiet space ;)

4) There may be a party for honeymooners on your ship. I've been told Celebrity does that. :)

5) Relax, be ready to have a good time.

6) Read first-time cruiser threads on CC. They can do a better job than I! I've done Carnival about 5 times, Royal once, and this is my first Celebrity cruise. So, I'm only limited to my own biased experience. Granted, its a good one!

7) I will repeat #1. Don't worry about doing it all (worth saying again)

8) Figure out what you really want, then set a budget. I tend to do this with shore excursions. If you want to have drinks without worrying about paying for them, look at the classic or premium packages to see if either are a fit. The rest you can deal with as it comes.

Hi Barry,

Did you have any specific questions? I've done a Mediterranean cruise, and I would say the tips I listed above would work well on such a trip.

If you can't fly in the day before (and maybe even before that to relax and recover from jet lag), I'd definitely do the morning of, and take the cruise ship transfer from the airport to the ship. We did this in Rome, and stopped by the Vatican on the way to the ship. We actually got to see the Pope, drove by the coliseum, and a few other places. The transfer might have cost more, but the experience was priceless, combined with not having to worry! Lastly, if you purchase your airline tickets through some cruise lines (I typically do not) , they will fly you to your first port if you end up missing the plane.

Congratulations, by the way! I'm counting down to our honeymoon, just like you!

Hi BayPlay!

We just booked our honeymoon cruise, so I'm happy to give you my tips. First of all, make a few touches to make your time together special. That might be a special romance package (see what your line offers, such as delivering chocolate covered strawberries, champagne, or roses to your room, or petals on your bed). I see complaints from people expecting these touches for free. We are planning to book them closer to the date.

If you have a travel agent or representative at the cruise line, do mention it is your honeymoon. Thats the only way they will know.

If you are flying, I would come in early that day, or preferably, the day before. I would pack everything in one bag if you can. I packed for a 16-day trip in a carry-on recently. Just so that you show up on the ship with everything, and don't risk losing luggage on the flight. I'd pack another bag inside to carry anything you get on the trip separately on your return.

In regards to excursions, I try to plan something special on 50% of my port days, and the rest, I don't mind strolling around the port area (especially if its a nice one). For honeymoons, smaller activities such as a catamaran sail could be very nice.

Book one night onboard the specialty restaurant on your ship. Great food and service! If they don't have one, look into Chef's Table. It won't be private, but it is still very special.

If people would like to contribute to your honeymoon, they can purchase gift cards or onboard credit.

I hope this helps! Get ready to have fun!

I dug up a CC thread with a quick internet search. Hope this helps! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1350864

There are a few sites, but none are from the bride's perspective. I wouldn't mind doing one on my personal page, since I already have the domain and hosting. If you let me know what questions you have, I'll put together everything I've figured out so far.

Hi Heather! When is your big date, and where are you in the planning process? My big day is January 15 on the Carnival Inspiration. I'm about 5.5 months out, and I've got most of the planning complete. Happy to provide tips or insights, although most of it came from scouring Cruise Critic! There is one board on pinterest you should definitely pin as well. I only have a few boards, and hers is one of them!

oh my goodness, that cake!! Where did you find it? And please tell me Carnival said they can do it! That makes me so happy!! :)

Hi,

That is the extent of the flowers that are provided, although there will be flowers on both of the columns in your ceremony room. I am planning to use wedideas (on etsy) for my bouquet, boutonniere, and 2 corsages (MOB and MOG). There are a lot of beautiful options out there, this is just the one that had the designs I love, and worked the best for me. And yes, it will all come in much less expensive that way.

So happy to have found this thread! We are getting married on the Carnival Sunshine on 6/18/16. We are getting married on board in Freeport and have booked the celebrate big package. I'm having a hard time finding out what if any flowers are provided besides the bridal bouquet and buteneer. I just got a flower upgrade sheet from them and they seem so expensive, but I don't want to not have ANY flowers. I just need a little something

 

 

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Excellent! I agree... people don't get nearly as lost and can cross the ship on most of the levels..not to mention 1000 fewer people. I think our party will be pretty easy to find all weekend. Our numbers are the same! I'm aiming for 75-90, with roughly 50 sailing.

The video is beautiful, and so were your song selections! Seeing your pictures really helped because it seems like our ships are in the same class (mine is the Inspiration). How many guests did you have?

Hi everyone.. just wanted to let you know that my cruise tour was amazing. I really enjoyed getting to tour the facilities, see the ship, and meet the coordinators and officiant. I couldn't be happier about the choices we have made!