Carnival Cruise Wedding Opinions please

There is a bride here who did this and loved it!!!

My brother opted for a cruise wedding but he didn't invite anyone. He was deployed and they moved his leave up early so him and his wife at the time decided to have a cruise wedding. They had a fun time, but it was more of a cruise elopement.

Hi Ashley! Im doing this on the Carnival Paradise and already have it booked, and Ive attended one in the past. We live near the Port of Tampa so we are inviting around 60 people and also inviting them to cruise as well. We figure, for us, the entire cruise is the reception, but that hour and a half is a little sad.

From experience, the hors d'oeuvers are pretty darn good. Ask for the alternative menus if you book it as we are mixing and matching from two different menus.

Your guests will also have a full day. We have to meet at the port at 10 and everyone has to be there. When Im getting ready all the guests can wander the ship and get some food at the lido deck buffet, meet for wedding at 1245, and reception at from 1:30- 3ish. Its actually not even during a mealtime, and you are still providing lunch. Those who arent cruising get off the ship and the rest of us are continuing the party. I didnt even consider the sit down meal one because of the time and because I wanted the DJ which is like ! $375 more. Id rather dance with a cocktail to start my marriage and vacation.

The wedding I went to was soooo fun and one of those I didnt forget (also my first cruise of many to follow).

Poster Lorith here just had her wedding on Carnival and she has some beautiful pics! Also, check out the special interest "weddings and honeymoons" cruise forums on cruisecritic.com. lots of reviews and info!

CruiseBride, I am not having a big wedding party, but Im taking my Maid of Honor to my room with me. Ive heard if you see some shots you like online from other cruise weddings the photographer will accomodate. I found some Im printing and I also have a list of "must have" family pics. The 3000 package is not just 100 pics, its also the storybook, 2 large canvas prints, dvd slide shows. Ive heard nothing but amazinf things about the pictures. We are at a toss up on which packge we want but probably the 900 dollar one.

Have you been to cruisecritic? A lot of brides have negotiated for all shots taken that day. That stinks about the wedding party...how many people are you inviting to the wedding?

I meant shots earlier not WHEN the pics were taken. Yeah, I didnt really think a first look would be an option giving the reviews and timelines Ive read. The wedding I went to on board took group shots and family photos quickly after the ceremony. It was definitely not a ling drawn out thing but the pics were taken. Its all after the ceremony and muster drill. I wont lie, a little worried about my make up by then

Everything @SailawaySomppi said is what I came to say. But definitely of you have an experience questions, ask away. Our echoing was everything I ever dreamed. And some things I didn't. My BAM is here somewhere, but I'm on mobile, and on my way to work, so finding it is impossible for me right now.

We did the cocktail hour, and it was wonderful. Our wedding was delayed after an accident and most of my guests were full from lido deck food. (They went to Guy's Burgers.) The bar was fantastic. The waiters were terrific. My niece loved the sushi as did I. My husband loved the eggrolls and I had a bit of everything. All of it was incredible. And the cake my guests still mention to me as being the best wedding cake they've ever had.

We didn't have a DJ but we had an amazing time even with the delay. And I do like our pictures we chose. The photo packages are an additional charge. Each is different. We did a customized package and haggled. You can do that. So don't stress.

Please ask me anything and if you want to see my BAM it was in May. It's somewhere. I'm sorry. But I can post a few pics here from my phone if you like if you are interested.

Please ignore typos. I'm rushing around getting ready.

@cruisebride Carnival's paperwork states all guests and wedding party except bride and groom must be dressed at boarding.

@SailawaySomppi Don't worry about your makeup. Mine was good all through dinner on the ship that night. Muster if you do it dressed is fun too. Lots of cheering and applause from guests. ETA But my photos were before muster.

Lorith lol My issue is that when a good song comes on I HAVE TO dance. Lol I will do every darn line dance and get low when lil jon says too... I swear I cant help myself. its gonna be hard tempering myself so Im not a sweaty mess.

Lol even with the DJ the reception is only an hour. Lets say 3 minutes for your first dance, you skip the other traditions entirely. Cake cutting is 5-10 minutes. They ask you to toast so add 3 minutes. Then what's left is for you to get drinks, eat, drink, and dance. You'll be fine. Trust me just think if you keep father daughter dance or bouquet toss or garter toss or mother son dance

We did the BIG package with 1.5 hours and are cutting pretty much all the fluff except cake, first dance and father/daughter dance. I agree the whole reception would be just that otherwise! every other brides pics Ive seen have been amazing so Ill have to believe itll be ok!

I swear, everytime someone posts on here about a cruise wedding I get all excited. Lol

Haha me too Lol. It's really one of the few things I can offer advice on from experience. Because planning a cruise wedding is SO different than anything else. This is part of the reason I stick around.

Right! I feel dumb sometimes responding when people ask questions... of course my answers completely different so they feel sort of invalid. Glad you stick around! Its so far away but I cant wait to post my BAM like yours!

Yeah. Completely different. I also post about dress shopping and accesorizing because it's my job Lol. I can help there.

I can't wait to see your BAM. If you stick around after we will have 2 perspectives for new brides too. Which is awesome.

@sailaway - I have been to cruise critic which is why I am hoping to negotiate when the time comes but I want to be prepared if they don't. @lorith, I did see this in the contract but by the time I got the contract I had talked to carnival several times and this had never been mentioned, which is why I wanted to mention it to Ashley in advance! As for hair and makeup, @sailaway I found someone in my area who would do it early enough but all the places I looked at charged an early morning fee

@sailaeway - also I'm not sure if the early morning fee is a regional thing! I'm in the northeast

@cruisebride they mentioned it to me early on. That's so strange. I'm sorry you ended up blindsided.

@ lorith no worries - I'm still excited for the big day!

@lorith - I've had this question but based on your experience you're the exact person for it - how did you handle tipping?

Good question ^^^^^