Sovereign Wedding 11/9/07 - Long Review

[Cruisin Cleo]

Before our wedding, I was on this board daily, and feel a little guilty that it’s taken me so long to post a review of our wedding. I apologize for it being so lengthy…

 

We arrived at the port just before 10:30. I got through security in hot rollers in my hair with no problems; they just used the wand to check me. We met our coordinator, Courtney, and our officiant, in the terminal. Courtney explained how things would progress once we got aboard the ship, and she and our officiant were great about answering any questions. We were able to board around 11:15. Courtney carried my dress, and escorted me to the suite I would be getting ready in. Since it was early enough (our ceremony was to begin at 1:45), we were all able to go the Windjammer for a quick lunch. Courtney left us at that point, and said she would return to get me when it was time to begin.

 

My MOH and Mom had a hard time getting my hair to look the way it did all the times we practiced during the weeks leading up to the wedding. We ran out of time, and it ended up not being my dream hair, but it was pretty enough. Courtney showed up right on time, around 1:30, with my flowers, and to escort us to the ceremony. When we got to the elevators, it took forever to get one. Here I am in my full wedding gown and veil, and MOH in her dress, and no one would let us have their elevator. Talk about rude.

 

Our ceremony took place in Boleros. When we got there, everyone was accounted for. While waiting for Courtney to get everyone in place, my Mom, MOH, and I provided entertainment just outside the lounge. There was group of folks from Japan that asked if it was a real wedding, and all of them ended up taking our pictures while waiting for our cue to enter. I felt like a Disney attraction. It was quite funny.

 

My Mom escorted me in, and the ceremony started. It was beautiful. Our officiant was wonderful. (It turns out, she owns The Wedding Experience/Royal Romance.) Afterwards, we took the customary pictures. We then had the cake and champagne. The cake was beautiful as well as delicious. Once we cut the first slice, Courtney took over and served all our guests. (Did I mention she was great?) We were able to mingle for a bit, then we requested the photographer make a picture of our entire group (23) on the stairs. After that, everyone went their separate ways, and those who were not cruising had to leave the ship. DH and I went all over the ship with the photographer making photos. I hadn’t really planned to, but we ended up wearing our wedding attire to the muster drill. Our friends took a cute picture of us in our life vests.

 

Flowers - I loved my bouquet. We had the Harmony package, and I didn’t upgrade, so it was creamy roses with orchids. Jason’s rose came with the package, and I used artificial flowers for my MOH.

 

Cake - I ordered a second cake since I didn’t think the one for Jason and I would be enough. I’m not sure how, but it was enough for all 23 of us. The second cake did not get cut, so Courtney had it delivered to our stateroom. We didn’t cut into it until the next day, and what was leftover, I took to dinner on the last evening, and shared with our family. Both cakes were delicious, and had gumpaste roses on them, which were very pretty.

 

Coordinator - Courtney did a fantastic job. She made sure everything went smoothly, and was great about asking if I needed anything or had questions. Looking back, I wish I had been able to contact her during the time I was getting ready. She could have helped transport some of the things I had brought for the ceremony down to Boleros – namely, the napkins with our names on them. (I gave them to my Mom to take, she got sidetracked, and they never made it to the cake table.)

 

Photographer – Sapna Tharani was our photographer, and she did an outstanding job. She took pictures we would never have thought of. At one point, she had me climb up on the baby grand piano, so she could make our picture with a reflection on the top. She was really nice. She even kept doing and un-doing my bustle for the different shots.

 

Pictures - Our pictures exceeded all our expectations. We loved them all. Before the wedding, I had found a past-Sovereign Bride’s pictures on the internet, and had cut and pasted the ones I liked into a Word document, which I printed and gave to Sapna. She made sure she got all the shots, and then some. We ended up buying the Pearl Package, which got us another 37 pictures. We went to the photo shop and picked out our pictures the last night of the cruise. My husband went back afterwards, and bought the CD with all the pictures on it (around 300). They are saved in top quality, and we can print whatever we want.

 

Location - Boleros was not my choice for the ceremony, but it turned out fine. The Latin-theme colors and artwork were very nice, and made for a warm atmosphere. Warn your guests, though, that even though there are windows surrounding Boleros, you still have to use your camera flash, or their pictures will come out dark and grainy. This happened to most of our guests’ pictures.

 

After reading so many horror stories, I was quite nervous about how things were gonna go, but am very happy to say that everything went GREAT. We, and our guests, couldn’t have been more pleased.

[tameka94]

I am so glad you shared your wedding experience. Although I am getting married on a different ship, I purchased the Harmony Package. It sounded wonderful. We would love to see pictures if you want to share. Otherwise, it sounds like Royal Romance depends on the staff you get. I like your idea of poses for photographer. Good luck!

[Prinycesa07]

Thanks for the great review! And CONGRATS!

[dna32]

Congrats...

 

I'm so glad everything went well for you!!

 

Best wishes!

 

Diana

[Cruisin Cleo]

Here are a few of our pictures...

 

 

[dna32]

Love your pics!! Your Photogapher was so much better than mine!!I'm glad everything went so well for you!

 

Now...no more stress..and onto a happy married life!!

 

:)

 

Diana

[tamster808]

How long was the ceremony? I am planning on getting married on the Monarch (replacing Sovereign) in April 2009. I have seen some people made programs but I was thinking the ceremony is short and that it would not be worth that time spent on making them. Plus, do they give you an itinerary so you know what to put on the program?

One more- Does the package include a first dance or do you have to have a DJ?

[Cruisin Cleo]

How long was the ceremony? I am planning on getting married on the Monarch (replacing Sovereign) in April 2009. I have seen some people made programs but I was thinking the ceremony is short and that it would not be worth that time spent on making them. Plus, do they give you an itinerary so you know what to put on the program?

One more- Does the package include a first dance or do you have to have a DJ?

 

The ceremony is quite short - 15 to 20 minutes. The photographer took a few pictures immediately afterwards - us and our parents, us and our siblings, etc, which didn't take too long. Then we cut the cake and did the champagne toast, which also took about 15 minutes. There was time for everyone to eat their cake and mingle for a few minutes, then I had the photographer take a group shot of everyone on the stairs before we went our separate ways. (It sounds like here, but we didn't feel rushed at all.) I paid for an extra hour of photography, which is how we were able to take shots at different locations on the ship. Unless you are going to have lots of attendants and/or an involved reception, I think programs aren't really tnecessary. Before you board the ship, the coord will inform your guests of how the day will progress (mine did, at least).

 

I didn't have a DJ or book a reception of any kind, so we didn't have any dancing. As far as I know, the package doesn't include a first dance. After we were done cutting the cake, our coord had romantic music playing over the sound system, but I don't know if that is the norm, or if it depends on your coord.

 

I hope this helps. Best wishes, and good luck with your planning - I know how nerve-wrecking it can be.

[DutsCruiser]

I apologize for it being so lengthy…

 

Thank you for being "so lengthy". It helps to complete the "picture" for future couples that are going to get married on the ship.