Don’t Tell the Bride, but Getting Married on a Cruise Ship Is Actually Rather Nice

A groom dressed as Frank Spencer, an officiant dressed as George Michael and a reception in a buffet restaurant packed with lunchtime crowds. This isn’t a scene from Carry on Cruising, but rather the actual wedding of Don’t Tell the Bride’s latest couple Mark and Kelly. Like many others, we tuned into BBC One last week and sat aghast as Mark planned the ultimate theatrical wedding.

Fortunately, saying ‘I Do’ on a cruise is really rather nice. Fancy dress and drama-hungry producers are nowhere to be seen, replaced instead with champagne breakfasts, gorgeous ceremonies, sunset strolls with friends and family, and the holiday of a lifetime to finish it off.

If you think cruise ship weddings are cheesy, think again. If you’re looking for something different to the usual church or stately home shenanigans, a wedding at sea could actually fit the bill perfectly.

Cunard

Cunard’s liners have played host to royalty and movie stars, and what better way to join the long list of glamorous guests than for your wedding.

Is it for me?

Yes, if you favour a thoroughly traditional approach to cruising and would love to add some glamour to your wedding. Not only will you be married and enjoy a reception aboard one of the iconic Cunard ocean liners, you’ll also get to sail to some of the world’s most amazing destinations while enjoying the White Star Service.

What’s included?

Your Personal Cruise Expert will guide you through every step of planning a Cunard wedding.

Cunard is famous for its Old Hollywood approach to cruising and you’ll make your vows in an elegant venue, with the ceremony conducted by the Captain. White Star Bellman will escort the bride to the ceremonial room in the gleaming uniforms, where traditional wedding music will play you down the flower lined aisle.

World-class cuisine and fine wines await your wedding party, whichever of the ship’s reception venues you opt to dine in. You’ll receive a commemorative printed wedding menu, along with a celebratory bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne. Wedding invites and thank you cards are provided for you to send to your voyage guests, plus a commemorative wedding certificate.

What about the finishing touches?

Pre-wedding pampering is taken care of in the spa and the ship’s professional photographer can be arranged to make sure the whole day is captured on film. Veuve Clicquot champagne afternoon teas, Cunard’s handcrafted chocolates and Pink Mark de Champagne Truffles sum up the Cunard experience, offering the perfect finishing touches for your guests.

Sounds costly! How does it compare to the average £27,000 I’ll spend on a wedding at home?

The cost for your Cunard Wedding at Sea depends on which itinerary and ship you choose, though wedding packages start at $1850 for a ceremony aboard the Queen Victoria or Queen Elizabeth (plus the cost of your cruise).

P&O Cruises

As the quintessentially British cruise line, P&O Cruises know exactly what you want from both your wedding and your honeymoon. The ability to combine both in one amazing holiday with your nearest and dearest is even more appealing.

Is it for me?

Yes, if you want to have the whole family with you when you say your vows. P&O Cruises offer weddings aboard family ships Aurora, Azura, Oceana and Ventura, so even the littlest family members can join you on board. There is loads to keep everyone entertained too, from some of the best kid’s clubs in the industry, to cookery clubs run by the world-renowned chefs who make up the Food Heroes.

You can also opt for one of P&O Cruises’ adults-only ships, with Adonia, Arcadia and Oriana all able to host weddings at sea.

What’s included?

You’ll have the services of an on board Wedding Coordinator at your disposal throughout the process, making sure everything runs smoothly in the run up and on the big day itself. You can make the most of the facilities on board too, relaxing with the ladies of the family in The Retreat or gathering the fellas for one last kick about on the Sports Court. It’s easy to make sure the groom doesn’t see the bride the night before the wedding too; with a whole host of lounges and restaurants on board, the chances of them running into each other are slim!

On the big day, you will head to the floral decorated wedding venue, walking down the aisle to traditional music or you own choice of sentimental tune. The ship’s Captain will conduct your ceremony, before you head to one of the Select Dining spots for your reception. With menus by celebrity chef’s including Atul Kochhar and Marco Pierre White, you can guarantee you guests will be talking about the day for a long time to come. Afterwards, you can spend the evening with a private reception or dancing the night away with your guests in one of the ship’s lounges.

You’ll receive invitations and thank you notes for your guests, a bottle of champagne to toast your arrival and a commemorative wedding certificate too. Your honeymoon will start the moment the ceremony ends, as you set sail to the next sun-soaked port on your itinerary.

What about the finishing touches?

The Oasis Spa is available on board all P&O Cruises ships, taking care of top-to-toe beautification in the lead up to your big day. Indulge with a full-body package or just let the therapists work their magic on your hair and makeup on the wedding morning. The whole wedding party can join in too, so you’ll feel just like you would on the morning of your wedding at home, only with far better views of the ocean.

Photographers, exotic three-tier wedding cakes, opulent floral arrangements and intricate button holes and corsages can all be taken care of too. A champagne breakfast in bed promises a sweet start to married life.

Sounds costly! How does it compare to the average £27,000 I’ll spend on a wedding at home?

P&O Cruises Weddings at Sea are available on almost all sailings of 7 nights or more, with the overall cost depending on which itinerary you choose and what finishing touches you choose to add to the initial package. P&O Cruises’ wedding packages start at £1,150 plus the cost of your cruise.

Princess Cruises

Is getting married at sea for me?

Yes, if you’ve always liked the thought of combining a beach wedding with a cruise honeymoon.

Princess Cruises offer three wedding options: Tie The Knot At Sea, Tie The Knot Harborside and Tie The Knot Ashore. Tie The Knot At Sea and you’ll be married at sea by the ship’s Captain, Tie The Knot Harborside and your non-sailing guests can join in the celebrations too, or Tie The Knot Ashore and you can enjoy an idyllic garden or beach ceremony in destinations including Maui, Santorini, Aruba, Honolulu and Los Angeles.

What’s included?

What is included with your Princess Cruises wedding package will vary, depending on which ‘Tie The Knot’ package you opt for:

What about the finishing touches?

Princess Cruises say if you can dream it, they’ll be happy to make it come true. This applies to exotic flowers, custom wedding cakes, ice sculptures and gourmet lunches. The cruise line will even arrange one last hen or stag party before the big day, whilst the champagne waterfall and bride and groom themed chocolate strawberries are a cute touch for the wedding day itself.

Sounds costly! How does it compare to the average £27,000 I’ll spend on a wedding at home?

The cost depends on where you ‘Tie The Knot’ but packages for weddings at sea start at £1,950. Pricing for weddings at the harbour and weddings ashore depend on the destination, varying from £1,545 for a harbour-side wedding in Florida to £3,500 for a castle blessing in Luca, Italy.

(All wedding package prices exclude the cost of your cruise)

Did you marry on board a cruise ship or is it something you’re considering for the future? Let us know!