Over ~ Water Weddings
Cruise Ship Nuptials

It used to be that couples getting married on cruise ships tended to be older, with many of them celebrating second or third marriages. Often it was just the two of them. Not anymore! Brides and grooms are getting younger. The trend is so hot these days that most cruise lines now include wedding chapels on their new ships, although weddings also can take place on deck or in a lounge. Cruise ship weddings are affordable for couples of all ages.

While many people refer to cruise ship nuptials as weddings at sea, there really is no such thing--unless the betrothed couple books with Princess Cruises. Princess ships are registered in Bermuda, where local law allows ship captains to officiate at weddings.

Although most cruise lines can't offer true weddings at sea, couples can get married aboard a ship that is docked in a port where they can obtain their marriage licenses by an officiant licensed by the local government. In many cases, couples wed in the port of embarkation before the ship departs. Their guests can board for the ceremony and reception, and then disembark before the ship departs. Increasingly, however, wedding guests stay on board for the cruise. It used to be just the bride and groom, but now the average wedding cruise group is 35 people.

Some couples wed while the ship is docked in an exotic port. For example, couples booking their weddings on Holland America in the Caribbean can wed just off the line's private island of Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, complete with a Bahamian officiant and a certified copy of the marriage license from the local court. Carnival Cruise Line also is starting to offer weddings at Half Moon Cay.

While cruise lines offer set wedding cruise packages that include basics such as an officiant, bouquet, boutonniere, champagne, a wedding cake and photographic services, many packages offer add-on options such as extra flowers, additional photos and video services. In addition, couples can forego the packages for completely customized weddings.

The biggest draw for betrothed couples considering cruise ship weddings is affordability. The average landside wedding costs $27,852 according to Conde Nast Bridal Group's Wedding Study. In contrast, the average cost for a 100-person wedding aboard a cruise ship is $7,000.

In fact, a cruise ship wedding can cost as little as $1,000 or less. For example, Carnival Cruise Line's "Just for the Bride & Groom" package is priced from $750, including a civil ceremony, a champagne toast with keepsake flutes, flowers, a wedding cake, pre-recorded wedding music, a decorated bridal aisle and photography.

Weddings at Sea