| If you love the adventure of traveling by ship, a | | | | for time. A good rule of thumb is to allow those close |
| wedding aboard a cruise ship might be just perfect for | | | | to you to make their own decision about whether or |
| you. It is a fun take on the basic destination wedding, | | | | not to attend your cruise wedding. In other words, invite |
| as you and your guests will get to enjoy a variety of | | | | all of those closest to you; don't exclude someone |
| destinations as part of the wedding weekend (or | | | | from the guest list on the assumption that they will not |
| however long you choose). These are some of the | | | | make the trip. You might be surprised by who actually |
| things that you will want to keep in mind while planning | | | | does decide to join you. |
| a cruise ship wedding. | | | | Most cruise ships will have all-inclusive wedding |
| First of all, it is a myth that any ship's captain has the | | | | packages in place. These usually cover all of your |
| authority to perform a marriage ceremony. The truth is | | | | basic elements, such as the chapel, flowers, food, |
| that most do not, unless they are also a justice of the | | | | music, and photographer. Each ship will have its own |
| peace or a judge. If you have your heart set on being | | | | style, so do a lot of research before settling on one for |
| wed by a ship's captain, there are at least one or two | | | | your wedding. Be sure to get plenty of pictures and |
| cruise lines who do offer this service, having made | | | | recommendations from weddings they have |
| sure that their captains are legally authorized to do so. | | | | previously arranged. As with any destination or long |
| Couples who opt for a cruise line with an onboard | | | | distance wedding, it is also important that you feel |
| wedding chapel with specially authorized captains can | | | | comfortable with their coordinator, as you will be |
| be married at sea while cruising, but most cruise ship | | | | putting a lot of faith in them. |
| weddings actually take place while docked in a port of | | | | A wedding on a cruise ship is a great excuse to dress |
| call or on land at one of the destinations along the | | | | up, both for the bridal party and the guests. A long train |
| way. In some areas, you will need to obtain a marriage | | | | might be cumbersome, but you can still choose a very |
| license from the port of call; others will allow you to | | | | elegant and sophisticated bridal gown accented with |
| bring along a license issued in your home state. Be | | | | dazzling crystal jewelry. When you are shopping for |
| sure to do your legwork well in advance to avoid any | | | | your wedding dress and crystal bridal jewelry, think of |
| last minute legal issues! Most cruise lines have | | | | the debonair style of an old movie. Of course, if you |
| dedicated wedding planners who can help you sort all | | | | are being married on the beach instead of the ship, |
| of this out. | | | | you might go with a more simple windswept style of |
| As fun as it is to be married while out cruising the | | | | gown. Don't forget to pack your white bikini for the |
| ocean, there is one reason to have your wedding | | | | honeymoon portion of the cruise! |
| while docked. This is to allow extra guests to join you | | | | A cruise ship wedding is a great way to have a unique |
| for your ceremony and reception who may not be | | | | destination wedding. The best part is that you will get |
| able to come aboard for the entire cruise. As with any | | | | to spend some extra time with your family and friends |
| destination wedding, each guest has to pay for his | | | | in the days before and after your wedding. And of |
| own trip, so a lengthy cruise wedding vacation will | | | | course, a wedding on a ship has the same lure as any |
| certainly end up cutting down on the number of guests | | | | other destination wedding, which is that it makes for a |
| who are able to attend, either for financial reasons or | | | | fast getaway to the honeymoon. |