The worst part of the planning is the guests!

[cyntil8ing]

My daughter's wedding is next Sunday on the Carnival Pride. The experience has been smooth and easy so far, but it really seems the guests are determined to change that!

 

My daughter's dad has not been very involved in her life since she was 8. She asked my husband to walk her down the aisle instead. This caused all sorts of drama when her dad's side found out, including her aunt texting her that her dear departed grandfather was rolling over in his grave. Grandfather was the only reasonable one in the entire family and would be rolling over their behavior, not his beloved granddaughter's! Grandmother and Aunt threatened not to come to the wedding . They convinced her father to call her and try to change her mind. I'm very proud of her for standing her ground. She dropped their names from the guest list. Drama over.

 

Next, her future father-in-law (FFIL) decided to invite his brothers and sisters and all of their kids. Of the 27 people now attending, 19 of them are his family. I just shut up and paid for the extra people.

 

Since FFIL was inviting brothers and sisters, my husband decided to invite his too. Fine, except that two out of three never responded. The third declined, but called early this week to see if she could change her mind and come.

 

I hope the two non-rsvp'ing siblings don't show up at the port expecting to join us. One of them did exactly that for my wedding 11 years ago. Luckily, we could accommodate themby adding another table and re-arranging everyone. That will not happen with a shipboard wedding. But really, who doesn't rsvp for their own brother's wedding?

 

FFIL is very upset that non-sailing guests will not be able to eat before the wedding. Telling him the wedding is only 10-15 minutes long and we will eat afterward does not appease him. He wants them to be able to go to the buffet. There is a $9+pp charge for the buffet, but he doesn't want to pay it. He called Carnival to ask if they can bring their own food onboard.

 

And finally, yesterday FFIL texts that two of the guests are gluten free. We are 10 days out! They couldn't have mentioned this before? So, we're now scrambling trying to get hold of the wedding planner, the Carnival special needs department, or anyone that can help us at this point. I will grab a couple of bananas off the buffet if worse comes to worse.

 

I'm sure it will be a wonderful wedding. I just can't wait for it to be over! Thanks for letting me vent. I don't want to do it to my daughter!

[cruiseonthebrain]

Hang in there!!! And your daughter is lucky to have you running interference for her. Unfortunately some guests forget that the day is about a marriage- not about buffets, etc. Take a deep deep breath- it's going to be great!!!

[inq]

I feel for you. People can be incredibly self absorbed and for some reason they forget that this day is not about them. Stay strong, you may even laugh about it some day. I am sure it will be a spectacular wedding and a happy day! Best wishes.

[Honeybun25]

WOW! You sound like you have your hands FULL! Some people just like all of the attention on themselves instead of what is really at hand. Your daughters wedding will be beautiful! If anybody starts drama just have them escorted off of the ship or tell them to deal with it after they set sail. Im praying for y'all. We are 15 days out and had people saying OK we can make it and i'm like UM no sorry there are deadlines! Best of luck with FFIL!

[Lil_One]

Lol! Your title really does say it all! I love our guests, but there are quite a few giving me a giant headache! I'm taking it all in stride (and venting to a friend who recently married) as I know it will no longer matter once the big day is here. Best wishes to your daughter and come back anytime to vent! That's what we are here for! :)

[LoveSetsSail2015]

Your a GREAT mom to help put out those fires for your daughter!! I know my wedding is the same!! Already dealin w drama & on dad's side too!!! I cannot stand my rude aunt & wont invite her, my mom is splitting cost of the lunch buffet for the non sailors since she thinks its rude for all of sailing (my fam) to each & my fiancé's fam who isn't traveling to not eat.. so we're handeling that.. I was told 20min ceremony not 10min..geez what can possibly be said in 10min.. thatd stress me out! Im looking forward to the wedding but only downside is the feeling rushed part.. but my fam is traveling so we'll have a big party for 5days.. which makes up for it!

[jusilva]

Cindy, you are an awesome mom! I am sure everything it will fine at the end. I just got to read the Contract from Carnival and they do stress a lot about guests be on time and I am already getting worried that some people will be late as usual....or will complain about giving an RSVP too soon! I don't know what to do. I am getting married in July!

[cyntil8ing]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I do feel much better this evening.

 

Unfortunately, now we're hearing that one of our port stops is going to be canceled. Some on our roll call have gotten an email from Carnival. I guess I'll have to wait until my travel agent opens in the morning to find out.

 

Anyway, thanks again and congratulations to all the soon-to-be brides.

[CruiserBren]

If non-sailing guests put their "visitor" tags in their pockets/purses, they can go through the buffet with no problem.

 

Don't worry about the non-responders, the port won't have their names and they'll find out why you're supposed to RSVP to a cruise wedding.

 

My DD was married on the Pride last year. Everything was wonderful! Enjoy!

[mrstriceasnice]

I don't envy you. Yet another reason our wedding is parents only and the cruise is friends and family. It has hurt some feelings but I'm ok with that. Makes me realize eloping my first marriage was an awesome idea. lol

[6rugrats]

If non-sailing guests put their "visitor" tags in their pockets/purses, they can go through the buffet with no problem.

 

 

You know that's stealing, don't you?

[millerp4]

Wow, Sounds like my FFIL. He was going to surprise us with 5 extra guests. While the thought was nice (as it was my Fiances Brother and a couple of his really close cousin's who's weddings we've gone to in the past year). I was scratching my head trying to figure out who in their right mind figured that would work. We are getting married part way through the trip, so I'm not sure if that would have been better or worse!

 

But your daughter is very fortunate to have a mother like you to help! I know my mom has make the process so much easier on me, and it sounds like you've been going above and beyond!

 

Enjoy the day.

[Carnival_Brides]

If non-sailing guests put their "visitor" tags in their pockets/purses, they can go through the buffet with no problem.

 

You know that's stealing, don't you?

 

That is what the Wedding For You/Carnival coordinators told the guests to do at the wedding we observed on the Pride during planning.

 

OP, Baltimore is very strict about the final guest list, so unless there was an oversight on CCL's behalf, they will not be able to board. Fortunately/Unfortunately, the federal government will act as bouncers in this situation and CCL will get to deliver the bad news.

 

Have you tried calling the Weddings extension directly? Even if Sajay isn't available to help (I assume that's your CCL planner in the Miami office), anyone else in the office should be able to help you.

Edited April 5, 2014 by Carnival_Brides

[6rugrats]

That is what the Wedding For You/Carnival coordinators told the guests to do at the wedding we observed on the Pride.

That may be true, but there is a charge for non-sailing guests to eat at the buffet. If you don't pay, it's stealing. And guess who ultimately absorbs these costs? Hint, it's not Carnival.