| The time is long gone when the only place that a | | | | otherwise be a thorny legal area, with the question |
| couple could get married was in a church or registry | | | | arising of whether a marriage that takes place in |
| office, and with that a whole new industry of "dream | | | | international waters can be legally binding. For the |
| weddings" has sprung up making it possible for couples | | | | record, it can. On all other lines that offer a wedding |
| to get married in whatever setting they wish, be it as | | | | service, the ceremony needs to take place while the |
| extravagant or as unique as they can think of, or | | | | ship is in port, but one way or the other it is fair to |
| something quite simple outside of the usual confines. | | | | assume that bride and groom will be staying on the |
| There is even a large and growing industry in | | | | ship as it sails its way around the ports of call. It's up to |
| translating marriage ceremonies so that a couple who | | | | the couple, the families and friends to decide whether |
| wish to carry out their wedding in another country - in | | | | any guests will be around for the honeymoon. |
| order to make the union legally binding it must conform | | | | As the increase in numbers of cruise ship weddings |
| to the laws of the nation where it is solemnized. | | | | has continued, companies have sprung up that |
| In light of the fact that marriages can now be carried | | | | specialise in organising cruise weddings. These |
| out just about anywhere, it is perhaps unsurprising that | | | | companies will advise you on how to hold a wedding |
| there has been a rapid growth in the number of cruise | | | | that fits your budget and your desires, and will give you |
| weddings taking place. When you think about it, it | | | | a range of options. Alternatively if you are steely of |
| makes perfect sense - the honeymoon can literally | | | | spirit you can set about arranging things yourself. Just |
| start right after the wedding, because you've brought | | | | remember that many couples do not do what is |
| the two together. In some cases, the wedding will take | | | | expected of them on their honeymoon because they |
| place while in dock. This allows guests to attend the | | | | are so emotionally exhausted after the months of |
| wedding and then return home. With a certain amount | | | | planning, the worrying and the panic. This worry and |
| of planning, and an adequate level of funding, though, it | | | | panic can probably be multiplied by two when you |
| could be the case that your guests can come along | | | | factor in a cruise ship location, as there are just those |
| on the honeymoon (although this will naturally need to | | | | few extra things that can go wrong. The best advice |
| be subject to some limitations). | | | | possible in the circumstances is that you and your |
| As things stand at the time of writing, only Grand | | | | future spouse should speak as one on all the important |
| Princess will supply the licensed officer to carry out the | | | | issues, because you are the two people that really |
| wedding and it is only they who have a captain | | | | matter. |
| authorized to marry couples at sea. This could | | | | |