How to Get Married at Sea

Weddings at sea typically require extensive planning and preparation.

Weddings at sea appeal to couples everywhere desiring to plan the most romantic wedding possible. However, weddings at sea can be expensive and require planning for details that are special to events hosted on a cruise ship in foreign locations. It's important to note that the legal requirements for marriage licenses in foreign locales can make events more complicated to plan. Another concern is the limited number of cruise lines that offer packages for weddings; limited availability makes timely planning critical. Nevertheless, for couples seeking to combine the wedding and honeymoon, a wedding at sea is a good option.

Instructions

1. Decide which cruise line to book. As of 2011, only three major cruiselines, Princess, Celebrity and Anzamara, offer packages for weddings at sea. Contact the cruise line of preference and check on wedding package availability for the tentative dates for the ceremony. Generally, cruises must be booked before wedding planning can begin.

2. Determine the type of the wedding at sea to be planned. They can be official or symbolic. Couples can choose to have their legal wedding at sea or they may opt to marry legally at home and host a ceremonial wedding at sea. Ceremonial or symbolic weddings prevent the hassle of dealing with marriage-license requirements in locations abroad.

3. Determine how many wedding guests will attend. The number of wedding party members is relevant to travel plans for two reasons: wedding party travel package choices, and potential price breaks in travel costs. Furthermore, for brides and grooms who intend to travel with larger parties, it is important to book early to secure the rooms necessary to accomodate all guests.

4. Speak with the wedding coordinator for the cruise line to plan the details of any wedding at sea. The wedding coordinator will be one of the best resources for assisting with wedding license requirements, if there are any, at the wedding destination of choice.

References

• Vacations To Go: Information for Weddings at Sea

Resources

• Celebrity Cruises: Wedding Packages