Carnival Fascination - Wedding Review - 09/05/2009

When I began reading the Honeymoon/Wedding boards on cruise critic early spring, I had no idea what a support and help they would be for me during the upcoming months. I must say thank you to everyone who posted reviews of their wedding and links to pictures to assist future brides in making the decision on whether a cruise wedding was for them and what they could potentially expect.

First, I should say that I had no problems booking the cruise or relaying information to either Carnival Weddings or The Wedding Experience. It remains true in my case that final details were given about the wedding two weeks prior.

The night before the wedding we hosted a “rehearsal dinner” for our guests. Since no one lived in Jacksonville, Florida, all of our guests were “out-of-town” and all were invited. We only had about 28 confirmed with 25 total including bride and groom actually attending.

I decided (like an idiot) that I didn’t want to see my future hubby the next morning before the ceremony. This was a cause of stress unneeded. Most guests spent the night in the hotel and six decided to drive down that morning. The guest congregated in the hotel lobby starting around 9:30AM and left by 10:00AM. I was still running around the hotel room, starting on my make-up, etc. and didn’t leave the hotel until 10:30AM. I started to panic at this point because it was after the “suggested” time to present at the terminal. I found some comfort that my guests were already there to check in – besides, they couldn’t start the wedding without the bride, right!?

By a quarter to 11AM we arrived at the port which was about 10 miles from the hotel. Thankfully, we were directed to a separate section of the parking lot since we were a “wedding party.” I was thankful to see the cars of my guests already parked and even more grateful they did not have to pay a parking fee. We made it to the terminal on the caddy and I realized that future hubby could not check in without his passport which I was trying to contact someone to give him.

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The stress continued to mount. By that time, we went to go through the metal detectors and the real stress began. The drama of not being “seen by future-hubby.” At interval moments my girlfriends, moms and sister would yell for me to duck or get back because he was around the corner. I would panic and ask “Where?!?” due to me still not wanting to be seen.

In the VIP section, I was introduced to my wedding coordinators who were trying to quickly check me in. It was close to 11:30AM and we were being requested to board the ship. There was another wedding party in front of us which helped to buffer me and future hubby. My hair was in a scarf because I am what you would call, “natural.” I do not have chemicals in my hair to straighten it. I do have chemicals to make it red though, because I am a red-head at heart! I pressed out my hair the night before and set it on foam rollers. I could not take out my rollers until I was safely inside the ship or my hair would frizz and I would have an afro for my wedding. Nothing wrong with that – but I and future-hubby wanted me to have bouncing curls. So needless to say, that made for an interesting trip in the terminal. I wasn’t taking my scarf off and the lady had to use the hand-held scanner to scan me in because my metal curlers were beeping the equipment. And the picture taken for the cruise ID looked horrendous because I flatly told the camera operator that I was NOT taking off my scarf. Especially being by the doorway with the Florida humidity trying to seep in.

I finally got around the corner from the cruise ship door and was told to GO BACK, because customs was not ready to clear the ship. By this time, I was really frustrated. Thankfully, after about two minutes they let us go through. Future Hubby went up the elevator and my wedding guests stood while I walked in to go up to our stateroom. My Dad took the opportunity to wonder in a loud voice if I was wearing, “THAT?” to the wedding. Someone kindly told him, I was dressed down and would be changing. Duh, Pops!

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Went to stateroom escorted by one of the coordinators. When we arrived the crew was just finishing up the room. I was greeted by two kissing towel swans and heart. Ahhhh, how sweet!

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I flopped down on the bed and tried to breath, then had a temporary meltdown. My nerves were fried! After crying for a few minutes, I went to freshen up and start on my hair. It was close to 12:00PM and the coordinator told me she would come get me at 1:15PM so she could walk me in time for our 1:30PM ceremony. Initially, I was told only my mom and sister could be with me in the room. I told her my stepmom was there too [she was the “unofficial photographer” and got in everyone’s photo shots during the ceremony and the reception. At one point, I looked over during the ceremony and she had a video camera going in one hand and taking pictures with the other. I had to laugh at that point, because she was too funny. Our ship photographer had no chance with her. :) ] So, it was the moms and sister at first – then I had to find some wedding gear (rose petals and cake topper). Some of my friends came to the room then (4 extra folks). I was pretty impressed the room held 8 people quite well to be so small.

A little after 1PM after I prayed to God to help me fit my dress and my prayers were answered

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– the wedding coordinator called to state there was a boutonnière left over from the previous wedding and did I want it. Sure. Who do you want to wear it? she asked. Umm, I don’t care. My irritation was creeping back – give it to the pastor or my dad, whatever you think is best, I told her. She insisted I was the bride and needed to make the decision. OK, let my dad wear it since technically he was in the wedding!

At 1:15PM, the wedding coordinator walked me up the Promenade deck to Puttin’ on the Ritz. Outside of the elevators – I met my photographer Rhaul and was greeted by my father.

The ceremony started on time and I remember most of it (along with the reception.) This may be helped by the awesome video my guests took of pivotal moments (vows, kiss, announcement, toast, first dance, etc.) Even my 11 year old nephew has video on his camera phone of the announcement and recessional.

At the reception in Club 88 (Piano Bar), we immediately went to the cake cutting and toasts. For the record, I thought the cake was dry and horrible but my guests gave it rave reviews. I thought the food was much better however – and it was displayed beautifully.

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As reported by previous brides, the photographer attempted to pull hubby and I out fifteen minutes before the reception was over. I kindly declined. We were running close to drill time after my guests left and we went to the atrium to pose for pics. He also attempted to take portraits. Thankfully, the other bride was taking up the space and I pushed for deck pictures.

Speaking of pics, my guests took great shots as evidenced by my wedding picture album. I did not buy a package (felt bad for that). But my stepmom took great pictures – she was more in the mix than our photographer. I did by about $250 worth – mostly 8x10’s that were taken on the deck. I will try to scan them so you gals can see. I didn’t think they were too special but I brought them because no one else had those shots.

I hope this review can be helpful. I apologize in advance for the length. Let me know if you have any questions. Especially any Fascination brides!

Link to pics

http://randallmelissapowell.shutterfly.com/

All the Best,

SweetDara

Thanks for your review, I LOVE your dress! Your 30 day countdown must have worked because you looked amazing!! Thanks for the heads up on the stress that comes with trying not to see your future hubbie on the big day... I would ideally like him to not see me but if it's that stressful I may reconsider!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEW!!!!! I loved it...when I was reading it especially the part of not seeing the Hubby before the wedding, I was laughing because I too had plans of not seeing my future hubby before the wedding....I think after reading your review it would only cause me stress as it did you...LOL

So I won't stress too much about it.

You're pics were great, your dress was beautiful as were you.

I thought your review was perfect!

Thanks again!

Jodie

You welcome ladies! I wish you all the best. :)

Congratulations!!! Thank you so much for your review. It helps to calm my nerves as I see everything work out for everyone. Your wedding was beautiful, you were beautiful....it makes me so excited for my big day. I'll try to remember not to freak out about seeing my fiance the day of.

15 days left!

Congratulations, you were a beautiful bride, thank you for sharing your experience. How long was your reception? My daughter is getting married on a cruise in March so I have lots of questions.

Congrats, I loveeee your dress!!!

Congratulations, you were a beautiful bride, thank you for sharing your experience. How long was your reception? My daughter is getting married on a cruise in March so I have lots of questions.

Hi, I could only get the welcome aboard package for that day. It was 1 hour. We were on the ship by 12PM - the wedding was at 1:30PM - reception at 2PM. I would say "wedding stuff" was a good hour and a half. Our guests were on the ship for 3 hours so I think it was enough time overall for everyone to celebrate. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thank you for the dress compliment. It was on sale at Macy's for $105 :D

 

Thank you for the dress compliment. It was on sale at Macy's for $105 :D

Gotta love those sales! Thanks for your review - you looked beautiful!

Anything you wish that you had done that you didn't? What do you think went wrong with the photogropher?

angela

Loved your review and really loved your dress. really beautiful and your hair turned out well....I got a chuckle about wearing the curlers on the ship. The day of my daughters wedding I wore curlers to our local shopping center to get y makeup done.

Really think it is not important if you see your hubby before the wedding. I was with my husband the whole day until I went to put on my dress. We have been very happy for 20 years....:)

Congratulations and best wishes....

LOL You were cracking me up with the scarf. That is so me haha.

My wedding is on the 3rd day of the cruise so plan to sleep (literally sleep hahaha) with my FI the nite before then in the morning he'll switch rooms with my cousin. She is the jr bm and her brother is a gm. So My fi and my gm will be getting dressed together. So we'll see eachother but not dressed or anything, Also I have locs so I plan to have loc loops in the night before so I'll prolly wear a scarf to the Lido deck to get b-fast or order room service, but I'm sure someone will c me in my scarf and glasses (i wear contacts but not while I'm getting ready)... it'll make for some funny pictures...