Princess - Embarkment Day Wedding, Need Advice!!!

[Collette17n]

I am looking for some input from those of you getting married on embarkment day, specifically through Princess Cruise Lines. I'm comparing the costs of having the one hour reception or the two hour reception. If we do the one hour, we are going to have the gourmet luncheon and open bar only, no dancing, DJ or anything like that. If we do the two hour we are going to have the DJ and hors d'oeuvres with the open bar, but no sit down luncheon. Given the tight schedule of embarkment day, we can have one or the other, not both.

 

We are going to have approximately 32-35 ppl total. The price difference varies from $3900 for the one hour luncheon to $4600 for the two hour hors d'oeuvres/open bar/dancing.

 

Those prices are BEFORE applicable taxes, because I'm not sure how much they are in Ft. Lauderdale (I'm calling TWE as soon as I get off work to find out). We REALLY wanted to stay under $4000, and once taxes are added on we are already over that with the one hour reception. I'm wondering, are any of you choosing to go with the sit-down luncheon and not do any type of dancing/party? I'm worried that everything will be over so quickly with a 1/2 hour ceremony and a one hour reception. But once taxes are added on, the two hour reception will likely be close to $5000, which is $1000 more than we wanted!

 

HELP! What are you guys doing?

[Collette17n]

I am looking for some input from those of you getting married on embarkment day, specifically through Princess Cruise Lines. I'm comparing the costs of having the one hour reception or the two hour reception. If we do the one hour, we are going to have the gourmet luncheon and open bar only, no dancing, DJ or anything like that. If we do the two hour we are going to have the DJ and hors d'oeuvres with the open bar, but no sit down luncheon. Given the tight schedule of embarkment day, we can have one or the other, not both.

 

We are going to have approximately 32-35 ppl total. The price difference varies from $3900 for the one hour luncheon to $4600 for the two hour hors d'oeuvres/open bar/dancing.

 

Those prices are BEFORE applicable taxes, because I'm not sure how much they are in Ft. Lauderdale (I'm calling TWE as soon as I get off work to find out). We REALLY wanted to stay under $4000, and once taxes are added on we are already over that with the one hour reception. I'm wondering, are any of you choosing to go with the sit-down luncheon and not do any type of dancing/party? I'm worried that everything will be over so quickly with a 1/2 hour ceremony and a one hour reception. But once taxes are added on, the two hour reception will likely be close to $5000, which is $1000 more than we wanted!

 

HELP! What are you guys doing?

 

I guess we COULD have the one hour reception with hors d'oeuvres/open bar/DJ but wouldn't that go by REALLY quickly??

[mrsgomez2011]

I guess we COULD have the one hour reception with hors d'oeuvres/open bar/DJ but wouldn't that go by REALLY quickly??

 

I'm on Carnival but I'm doing the 1 hour and I really could care less. It's like a cocktail hour and you can still fit in first dance, garter/bouquet toss, have drinks, cake cutting, and mingle still. After those cruising continue the adventure while the rest who CHOSE not to cruise for whatever reason get off.

 

If you have a party before hand (shower, celebration, etc), they all still got to celebrate with you. And the ones cruising get to have a multiple day adventure with you... :) So I wouldn't worry too much especially if you want to stay within budget. :)

[Denise2000]

I'm getting married Wednesday, May 4th and will have the 1/2 hour ceremony and 1 hour reception with open bar. Will let you know how everything goes upon my return.

[Collette17n]

I'm on Carnival but I'm doing the 1 hour and I really could care less. It's like a cocktail hour and you can still fit in first dance, garter/bouquet toss, have drinks, cake cutting, and mingle still. After those cruising continue the adventure while the rest who CHOSE not to cruise for whatever reason get off.

 

If you have a party before hand (shower, celebration, etc), they all still got to celebrate with you. And the ones cruising get to have a multiple day adventure with you... :) So I wouldn't worry too much especially if you want to stay within budget. :)

 

Do you know if the lounge will be somewhat dark? It would be a little odd to be dancing with lights and a DJ and everything if the whole room lit up by the sunlight.

[Collette17n]

I'm getting married Wednesday, May 4th and will have the 1/2 hour ceremony and 1 hour reception with open bar. Will let you know how everything goes upon my return.

 

How many guests are going to be there? I would really appreacite the review after you get back! Are you going to have a DJ as well?

[lovepea]

Although I am not going on Princess, I wanted to get as much time in as possible. I went with the 90 minute package and I am having a DJ, with appetizers and open bar. I think time will fly by, but I wanted the chance to dance around with my family and friends and squeeze as much "fun" in with everyone. I will have somewhere between 20-30 people and as of right now, only 8 sailing.

 

Also, on Carnival, the prices are much less so it was easier for me to justify adding in the extra time.

[LilBlackDress]

I was on RCI, we had the one hour hors d'oeuvres, with how mixed up everything was getting for my reception I decided against their dj/piano players etc. They told me we could bring in a boom box or ipod station for music, We had a boombox and a laptop with external speakers there and opted not to have music.

There were 25 people total and it was just nice to mingle. I am not sure if my WC was just going an extra mile for me due to all the confusion, or whatever reasons she had, but my non sailing guests were not escorted off the ship until about 4 PM. With the ceremony at 1:30 the reception should have ended between 2:30 and 3:00. The photographer left about 2:45 and they did stop serving champagne about that same time, but we were able to stay there and mingle.

I have no idea if that is because my WC was being nice or due to Homeland Security R&R that all non sailing guests must be off the ship one hour before departure or a combo.