It's finally happening!

[gresley]

Hi all,

 

Engaged for 2+ years, dating for almost 8 years. Finally got fed up planning a wedding across the coast without anything fun, so switching to a cruise DW! I've been reading through the posts and all you ladies are awesome!

[CAKnight]

 

You will really love this site if you take the time to stick around! I love this site!!! 

If you are able to stick around, you might even find that you will have some BDW buddies on here! All the ladies are lovely! But, you hit it off with some! They tend to offer amazing advice, support, etc. 

 

When are you thinking about getting married?

 

I think I saw you on the DW cruise board (and I think I replied to you actually. lol). That board is not as active as others. So, if you have any cruise related questions, feel free to DM me! I would love to help! 

 

Here are some links that you might find useful: 

Some cost saving tips from current and fellow brides and brides to be: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/33804/10-budgeting-tips-for-the-frugal-minded/

If you are interested in creating a wedding binder, I have started a thread here: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/86044/creating-a-customized-wedding-binder/

[gresley]

Thanks for the welcome, and the help on the cruise forums

 

Right now the plan is to cruise from FT Lauderdale (where most of the family is), and have a small ceremony on island. We're looking at between dec-march, either Royal Caribbean or Princess, but still in the early stages...I was taking it slow, but then I found this forum and can't contain my excitement anymore, lol!

Once I get further into the planning process, I'll definitely DM you with questions!

 

Thanks again!

[gresley]

BTW, CAKnight, where/when/how are you having your cruise wedding? You're so on top of things

[CAKnight]

You're welcome! It feels nice to be welcomed esp since there is so much going on here! 

Just to clarify, are you referring to Dec 2013-March 2014? 

Do you have an idea of which island/country you would like to be married in/on? (certain places are tricky to get married in)

Have you ever been on a cruise before? 

I know what you mean! It's like going in slow motion...then you get ideas from lots of creative brides and it just inspires you! 

 

Originally Posted by gresley 

Thanks for the welcome, and the help on the cruise forums

 

Right now the plan is to cruise from FT Lauderdale (where most of the family is), and have a small ceremony on island. We're looking at between dec-march, either Royal Caribbean or Princess, but still in the early stages...I was taking it slow, but then I found this forum and can't contain my excitement anymore, lol!

Once I get further into the planning process, I'll definitely DM you with questions!

 

Thanks again!

My FH and I plan on taking the 7 day Carnival Legend cruise. It will be leaving on April 6, 2014. We will be getting married on Friday April 11, in Grand Cayman. I have contacted several WC on the island to get an idea about prices. As of now, I have found the base price for one as $700...that's the cheapest I've found so far. So, I haven't set the date in stone with anyone on the island yet. One of the reasons is because you have to put down a deposit. I want to make sure that my FH and I like the WC (since she will also be marrying us). While a month or two, I think we will have that set up. Plus, I'm also trying to weigh out the pros and cons of each location. 

 

As far as being on top of things, it just comes with all the time invested into this. Remember the process should be fun...otherwise, it's just another job/task to check off the list. It's a once in a lifetime experience! Live it to the fullest!!! 

Originally Posted by gresley 

BTW, CAKnight, where/when/how are you having your cruise wedding? You're so on top of things

 

Hope I was able to answer everything!

Look forward to talking more about DW cruises! 

[gresley]

Originally Posted by CAKnight 

 

You're welcome! It feels nice to be welcomed esp since there is so much going on here! 

Just to clarify, are you referring to Dec 2013-March 2014? 

Do you have an idea of which island/country you would like to be married in/on? (certain places are tricky to get married in)

Have you ever been on a cruise before? 

 

Yep, referring to Dec 2013-Mar 2014.  

Haven't figured out an island yet, but either Nassau or Grand Cayman would be super cool. (My parents actually had their honeymoon in the Caymans)

I've been on a cruise before, and my FH and his family LOVE to cruise. His grandparents cruise 3 to 4 times a year. We're hoping a cruise will be much easier on the older family than a cross-country flight would be.

 

How many people are you expecting? Congrats again!!!

[CAKnight]

If you plan to get married in Nassau, it may take you a little longer to find a cruise itinerary that will help you meet the residency requirements. When you get married in the Bahamas, they have a 24 hour residency requirement. It would be nice if you got married in GC because of the symbolism. (You could be starting a tradition!)

 

Yes, I have cruising grandparent so I know they are excited...it's another excuse to go on a cruise. lol. I love cruising. I know that my FH and his family have never been, but have talked about wanting to go. 

 

Well, I haven't sent my invitations yet. I have to wait for a guest list for my FMIL. But, I'm anticipating that I will need make 30 invitations. So 60+ people who could come, but I know for sure that 8 people will come. I guess I will have to wait anxiously for a final answer. 

 

How many guests do you think you will have? 

How long of a cruise are you thinking about taking?

 

As far as a date, I would say that it would probably be better to pick something like Feb/March. Even though April is 11 months away, I have noticed that a lot of the rooms are selling out on my cruise...so that might be a problem if you decided to do Dec. Plus, it's more of a rush for your guests to have to pay their deposit, payment installments, etc. Just thought I would throw that out there!

 

Oh another thing that you might want to consider is less people might come in Dec/Jan because people know they will be broke, stressed, etc. from the holidays. That could be a good thing if you are trying to keep it small! 

 

Originally Posted by gresley 

 

Yep, referring to Dec 2013-Mar 2014.  

Haven't figured out an island yet, but either Nassau or Grand Cayman would be super cool. (My parents actually had their honeymoon in the Caymans)

I've been on a cruise before, and my FH and his family LOVE to cruise. His grandparents cruise 3 to 4 times a year. We're hoping a cruise will be much easier on the older family than a cross-country flight would be.

 

How many people are you expecting? Congrats again!!!

[gresley]

We have a large family (100+ invitations), but since a wedding+vacation (wedcation? can we call it that?) is a lot of commitment, and we already know from trying to plan the wedding in CA originally that a lot of people can't commit. So our guess is 20-40. If more people come, that's fine, but I'm not counting on it by any means. We already have 15 who we're sure will come, and that's fine with us

 

So far, looking at 3-5 days. I'd love to do something like a 7 day cruise, but I think most people can't take that much time off of work.

 

The legal question of residency is interesting... maybe we'll opt for getting the licence beforehand, and have the on-the-beach wedding be symbolic. I noticed some people on other threads talking about that.

[Moments That Matter]

That sounds like a great solution to taking off some 'pressure", gresley

 

Wishing you all the best with your plans, and that your Wedding celebration turns out to be as Wonderful as you envision it to be!!! Cheers

 

 

 

 

team MTM asst, Lynda