On-board reception VS On the island

[Minley16]

Hello there. I am leaning towards a cruise wedding (for cost reasons) but Im not a experienced "cruiser". I have tried to gather as much info as I can on other posts but I still have some questions.

I have not decided a cruise line or destination even have a set date....hhahahhaha I figure it will come together. I know I want a short trip maybe 5-6 days and I want the ceremony on an island.

1. Do I plan through the cruise planner or find a location on the island on my own?

Also, It is my understanding that when you cruise you eat as a group in the formal dining room, right?

2.So should I plan a on-island reception or just a cocktail hour on the boat followed by our regular evening dinner?

3.Are you able to book time on the boats for first dances???

What I really want is just a nice beach ceremony (hopefully hurricaine season doesnt put a damper on that), a few apps and cocktails. maybe a cake and a dance with my hubby and dad AND a relaxing time with family and friends....is that too much to ask?!?!?!

[andreann]

We started planning in january of this year for our cruise on The Liberty of the Seas and everything came out perfect. I hired ONeisha Brown from Rose Hall Development for the ceremony in Jamaica. They have really great packages and totally nailed it. Everything was done via email and skype and it was better than I could have imagined. It was 11 am ship time, 10am local time. We didn't know if there would be time for a reception so we just had a toast at Rose Hall followed by lunch at Scotchies, a local jerk pork and chicken place, and headed to the ship. We got there at around 3, right on time. We probably could have done a lunch or some apps at Rose Hall. We did a cocktail that evening that ended up costing $400 for 40 people to book the entire lounge and have a dj play. We had our first dance, and wedding-y things there. We even hired two of the dancers from the crew to help us with our first dance, which started as a waltz, halfway through he dipped me and then we did a salsa routine that ended with me jumping into his arms. It was awesome. Then we had dinner at the italian restaurant. They set up the centerpieces I brought onboard (manzanita trees with silk flowers, fresh flowers are not allowed due to health requirements). Family style apps included antipasto, tuna carpaccio, and shrimp risotto. Mains wew a choice of lobster-scallop skewers, rack of lamb, or filet, with family style sides of mushroom pappardele and ceasar salad. Dessert was tiramisu or tartufo de cioccolatto AND they made ma a very nice white chocolate wedding cake. The cover per person is $20 plus wines (they have bottles starting at $29) Everything was fantastic. After dinner we headed to the latin bar for salsa dancing and then to the nightclub. We danced until 4am. It was a champagne wedding on a beer budget and you would have never known. All our guests loved it. We also had a dress rehearsal in the side dining room set up for us, where we did a roast and toast. They set up a projector for us. The day before the wedding, we did a TTD shoot at Labadee. We used the photographer from the ship, the company is called image. He was the best! My wedding cruise is exactly what you are describing! Not only was the wedding day itself unbelievable, but the whole week was a blast and full of activities and time to bond with friends and family. If you have any questions let me know! I would be happy to help.

[mscheryl10]

I agree with Andreann, you can do as little or as much as you like, it just depends on your budget. That is why I am choosing a cruise wedding.

Andreann,

I have seen your posts on here and am happy to hear that your wedding turned out great!!! I was worried about others posts, but your post has reassured that I chose the best venue. I am an avid cruiser and wouldn't have my wedding any other way!!! Your pics are beautiful!! Congrats!!

[CAKnight]

Originally Posted by andreann 

 

We started planning in january of this year for our cruise on The Liberty of the Seas and everything came out perfect.

 

I hired ONeisha Brown from Rose Hall Development for the ceremony in Jamaica. They have really great packages and totally nailed it. Everything was done via email and skype and it was better than I could have imagined. It was 11 am ship time, 10am local time.

 

We didn't know if there would be time for a reception so we just had a toast at Rose Hall followed by lunch at Scotchies, a local jerk pork and chicken place, and headed to the ship. We got there at around 3, right on time. We probably could have done a lunch or some apps at Rose Hall.

 

We did a cocktail that evening that ended up costing $400 for 40 people to book the entire lounge and have a dj play. We had our first dance, and wedding-y things there. We even hired two of the dancers from the crew to help us with our first dance, which started as a waltz, halfway through he dipped me and then we did a salsa routine that ended with me jumping into his arms. It was awesome.

 

Then we had dinner at the italian restaurant. They set up the centerpieces I brought onboard (manzanita trees with silk flowers, fresh flowers are not allowed due to health requirements). Family style apps included antipasto, tuna carpaccio, and shrimp risotto. Mains wew a choice of lobster-scallop skewers, rack of lamb, or filet, with family style sides of mushroom pappardele and ceasar salad. Dessert was tiramisu or tartufo de cioccolatto AND they made ma a very nice white chocolate wedding cake. The cover per person is $20 plus wines (they have bottles starting at $29)

 

Everything was fantastic. After dinner we headed to the latin bar for salsa dancing and then to the nightclub. We danced until 4am.

 

It was a champagne wedding on a beer budget and you would have never known. All our guests loved it.

 

 

We also had a dress rehearsal in the side dining room set up for us, where we did a roast and toast. They set up a projector for us. The day before the wedding, we did a TTD shoot at Labadee. We used the photographer from the ship, the company is called image. He was the best!

 

My wedding cruise is exactly what you are describing! Not only was the wedding day itself unbelievable, but the whole week was a blast and full of activities and time to bond with friends and family.

 

If you have any questions let me know! I would be happy to help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi AndreAnn,

Congrats on your new marriage!

I am seriously considering having the reception in one of the specialty restaurant. I would love to set the table up during our "reception dinner" so that it still carries the vibe of the wedding.

Which cruise line did you take? Did you get to create a menu with them? 

[gresley]

andreann, your ceremony looked GORGEOUS!! Congratulations

[PrincessJanay]

Oh my your ceremony looks gorgeous!

[traylynn]

I am having a beach wedding, but struggling with having a lunch in St. Thomas head back to the ship for a cocktail party before dinner.  

 

Since my wedding will be at 930am... Lunch sounds good.  

 

Tour of the Island

Back to ship

Cocktail Party 

Dinner

Dancing

 

Any ideas... I am open to suggestions