Carnival Cruise Wedding Opinions please

Good question definitely. I tipped in typical cruise fashion. The staff at our wedding was constantly flowing and changing. The only constant was our photographer and they have about 10 other onboard jobs. All the staff does. When we went to tip we were told gratuity is added at the last day of the cruise. No 'wedding staff tipping' would be necessary as a percentage of tips from each stateroom will be received by all staff as usual.

I'm also having a Carnival wedding. Getting married at port in Nassau in January and we are having the hour long reception but it's more of a cocktail hour IMO. They will have an open bar and hot and cold apps. Our wedding is supposed to start at 11:30 AM which is the earliest time because at Noon is when they can serve alcohol. If a bride books a beach wedding the same day, she will get precedence and my wedding start time will get pushed back. Cruise critic has a lot of good information and templates.

@lorith - thanks! I'm picking your brain now - did you do welcome bags, favors or both? How was getting them on the boat? I know there is a $1 delivery fee for welcome bags per room

CruiseBride, I haven't done it yet, but I just wanna say I found a REALLY good deal on tote bags I'm going to have delivered the room. They aren't crazy high quality or anything obviously, but the price was right and they are cute and functional!

http://www.orientaltrading.com/large-white-anchor-tote-bags-a2-14_2070.fltr?Ntt=anchor tote

My plan is to pay to have them delivered to the rooms. Between that, the sand ceremony/guest book stuff, cake decor stuff, faux flowers (I need more than what Carnival gives) and our clothing I'm also interested in the best way to get it all on board!

@FutureMrs P... What ship are you going on ? I'll be in Nassau on the Fantasy in October if you need me to scope anything out!

@Lorith, I was under the impression the day of coordinator didn't work on the ship but actually just worked with the cruiseline. Did you do anything with tips for her/him? I'm kinda confused on how to handle that now after reading.. everyone seems to do something different lol

@sailaway I'm going to check the site out! For your faux flowers are you doing that for your BM bouquets too? If so, where from and how much? It's something I haven't figured out yet

@sailaway - I just checked them out - they're a perfect idea - thanks for sharing!

@cruisebride- I got two packs of them.. like I said, not awesome quality, but definitely functional and they are good size. I'm actually debating on how to fill them up enough now LOL

As far as flowers, I'm still debating. I only have the one bridesmaid... so it'll be my bouquet, my bridesmaids, grooms bout, 5 other bouts for my nephews, his son, FOB and FOG, and two corsages for MOB and MOG. The flower situation has me a bit stumped. I'm wearing an ice blue sash with my dress and my MOH will be wearing an ice blue dress. needless to say I haven't yet found exactly what I want to do with flowers.... I did price all that out with plumeria on debbiecoflowers.com and it was like $271.00... but decided plumeria was too bright and no go. needless to say I don't have an answer for you yet, as I'm still figuring it all out. I may even DIY.

I did not end up doing welcome bags or favors. I gifted my bridal party the day before the wedding. Sorry. I'm at work. I'm trying to keep up

$1 delivery fee to the rooms!! ah! I didn't know that. I need to put that on my list of things to ask Carnival.

I found these at oriental trading that we are using for welcome bags.

http://www.orientaltrading.com/web/browse/processProductsCatalog?mode=Searching&sku=13602251

@sailaway - I'll be sailing on the Elation. I'll definitely want to follow up with you after your cruise wedding!! What are you using your additional flowers for? We don't have a bridal party so I figured the flowers they are providing should be enough. Also, what are some items you are putting in the welcome bags?

Some things on my list are:

- bug spray

- suntan lotion

- koozie

- aloe vera

- advil

- wet one packs

- sunglasses

- dramamine

For the bags, we're trying to make them as cost affordable as possible because we have so many rooms booked already. I'm thinking of getting stuff from the dollar tree online - they have sunscreen and Advil for sure. They did mention the bottles had to be travel size (3oz or less) but I didn't go into a lot of detail yet

FutureMrsP- My wedding unfortunately isn't for some time, and you are going to beat me to the wedding. This Oct is a girls cruise... basically PARTAY weekend LOL! I can't WAIT to see your BAM! though!

My flower situations started with me wanting my MOH to have a bouquet and having no idea how big the white flower bouquet was for mine on Carnival. (Carnivals additional bouquet prices were ridiculous) then it turned into me wanting different flowers than white roses. Then, I decided I wanted the parents and immediate family to have boutonierres and corsages and I wanted them all to match and here I am.

I started a welcome bag list on Amazon... You can get so much in bulk there. I have pretty much everything on your list, and added things like packs of gum, tums, Immodium packets, a lanyard for sign and sail cards, mini first aid kits (20 bucks for 12 on amazon), nail files, and Shout stain release cloths.

God I love Amazon... Prime is my hero!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RW4MNWA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=14B7RT399JP99&coliid=I3GGWU6JWSACFO&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00467BPC0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=14B7RT399JP99&coliid=I3S2JS4LU3H6NM

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JDOPW6G/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=14B7RT399JP99&coliid=I30J5P71XJCLC6&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AAEDWY6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=14B7RT399JP99&coliid=I21XRFZEXPTORW

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006SW71G/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=14B7RT399JP99&coliid=I2UA9A6RIMHK92&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EDW2JC8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=14B7RT399JP99&coliid=I1IZ8UWCE2IGO9&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OI5UY36/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=14B7RT399JP99&coliid=I2ROZGS4KHBUE3&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0056BR5K6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=14B7RT399JP99&coliid=IA8G3H0IC9HEU&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0082SZNBS/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=14B7RT399JP99&coliid=I1RCW26Q58A86J&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W8H4AKE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=14B7RT399JP99&coliid=I2KG3ZO2F4731L

I love your bag suggestions - so helpful! A nail golf is great - affordable and practical!

File* autocorrect!

Just a general question - how much are you guys spending on your BM/GM gifts knowing that you're doing favors/welcome bags but also knowing what they're spending if they're sailing with you

I have a long time to think about that... Everyone at the wedding is getting a pretty nice favor. My mother and I are making bracelets which are going to be awesome for all the women, and for the men we are getting anchor shaped bottle openers whether they cruise or not. Every stateroom that cruises is getting a bag... I'm SURE I will get my MOH something extra, maybe her favorite perfume or something, but I'm not going to go overboard either. Being as I only have her.... probably between 50 and 100 dollars. I would have to cut that a bit if I had a full bridal party.

Thanks! Do you think you'll do a dress rehearsal beforehand? Obviously not a traditional one since we couldn't be on the boat for it lol

Omg! Thanks Everyone for the responses!! I was very sceptical about it at first, but now I'm all for it!! I'm going to text my FH now, and tell him yes!

That is a question for Lorith. Is there time for that? IDK. BTW, they don't advertise it, but if you live near the port you can try to get a "tour" of the ship while its in port on a day before your wedding day. I hear sometimes they will even let you have lunch on the lido deck before you get off but thats hit or miss.

YAY Ashley! seriously, go to cruise critic.. so many beautiful pictures and reviews of weddings..