Carnival Pride Wedding Review - 09/30/12

[jeschwartz82]

Hi girls. Sorry for just getting to my wedding review. I have been in and out of the hospital for severe anxiety ever since we got home.

 

Anyway, I cant say enough how wonderful the staff at Carnival and A Wedding For You were!

 

 

 

Hair & Makeup – I went to Julian’s Hair Designers in Dunkirk, MD. It’s a bit far south for girls coming from the north, but, if you are coming from the south, it’s a nice stop on your way up to the port (about 50 minutes to the port). I arrived at 7:00 am, and they had a bottle of champagne waiting for me. I was out the door by 9:00 am sharp, and in that time, Shannon and Marie did both my hair and makeup as well as my mom’s. We were looking so good!

 

Arrival at the Terminal – Well, me being me, we were early. We got there at 10:00 am. Since my parents drove, and were then to be driving home, we parked in Special Event parking. The only issue was the gentleman driving the bus to the terminal was trying to insist that I put my dress under the bus. No way, no how. Finally, after a $10 tip, he conceded to let me keep it on the bus (mind you, it was just me, my husband, and my parents on the entire bus).

 

At the terminal, we were not allowed in because, although there were check in agents for sailing guests, the people who were checking in non-sailing guests were in training. So, we stood outside the terminal with my dress and all our luggage until 10:45. That was kind of a bummer. Once we were allowed in, we were all checked in within a matter of minutes and then escorted to a waiting area where we were told we MUST sit. No standing allowed. ** Note, unlike other cruise terminals I have been in, Baltimore does not allow the use of cell phones in the waiting area **

 

While waiting to board the ship, we met briefly with Amanda and Linda from A Wedding For You. OMG, these women are amazing. We did a quick run thru of the ceremony and they had already devised a plan to keep things as drama free as possible. LOVE THEM.

 

Boarding the Ship and Getting Ready – At just after 12:00, we were allowed to board the ship. I was the first person on board. I have never been able to say that before. LOL Amanda took me and my parents to our stateroom and Linda took B and his family to the Chapel. I guess from there his family was turned loose on the ship and B had some quiet time to get ready. I was told that they would be back for me at about 12:50, so, I spent the next 30 minutes hanging out with my parents on the balcony just relaxing. At 12:40 I started to get my dress on, and at 12:50 Amanda came back with the photographer, Snjezana, to take a few pictures. SHE IS AMAZING. Sadly, after our sailing, she was transferred to the Triumph, so, TX brides, you are in for a treat!

 

After pictures, we went right to the Chapel. There were already quite a few people on the ship, and it was really strange to be congratulated … I guess I just wasn’t expecting it!

 

The Wedding Ceremony – As soon as we arrived at the Chapel, I met the wedding hostess who made sure that I did not want rose petals around the cake. I was so happy she asked, because I really didn’t! Then, it was time to go. I actually had this moment where both my parents took a step forward, and I froze. I didn’t realize that it was happening right at that moment! The Chapel is a super small venue, but perfect for the 9 people, including us, that were there. Our ceremony was short and sweet with only one closing poem. We didn’t bother to upgrade the alter flowers, and they were actually really pretty, but all white. I will have to look back at pictures to see what was in them, since I honestly don’t remember!

 

The Reception – This was also held in the Chapel. It was a little strange to walk out of the room, and walk right back in. But, they managed to very quickly move a cake table in and the cake was so pretty! I asked them to please not have any dots, swirls, etc on the cake, just smooth white frosting. Amanda then took the ribbon I provided (uncut!!) and put a ribbon at the bottom of each layer of cake, and then surprised me with a ribbon on the cake stand. I had an accent flower I wanted put on the cake as well, and they did. It looked amazing.

 

There was a small mix up over champagne versus ginger ale for B’s younger siblings. Needless to say, an unnecessary scene was made, but the staff handled it so well. Linda and Amanda kind of stepped in to diffuse the situation and keep us away from it. Again, I love those ladies!

 

Lunch and Pictures – After all this, the family was excused to go have lunch on the Lido while we did pictures around the ship. There was not a single bad picture among those presented to us. For the most part, people were really respectful of the fact that we were having pictures taken, although, there are always a few … LOL

 

We did not take any pictures outside at this time. Instead, we did all the pictures inside the ship. Our photographer said the pictures outside are best done after sail away so that you have better lighting and something other than Bmore in the background.

 

We quickly met up with our families just before they had to disembark.

 

Muster Drill – It was HOT. Ladies, if you act like you are melting, they will let you sit with the special needs people. Just a little hint.

 

More Pictures – After sail away, we went up to the Lido and upper decks for pictures. Again, not a bad picture in the bunch. The weirdest part was people taking pictures of us. Again, not something I was prepared for, but found really funny.

 

Love and Marriage Show – We were on it! It was wonderfully embarrassing. I keep checking YouTube, but it hasn’t shown up yet.

 

 

 

All in all, it was a wonderful experience. Both B and I agree that we are so happy that we chose the ship for our wedding venue. Everyone on board was so kind and helpful, as were Linda and Amanda. Those who have seen our pictures say that they have never seen pictures like that from a “traditional” wedding and are jealous as to how well ours turned out.

 

The only thing I can say that I regret is not having a larger wedding. As you know, it was supposed to be just the two of us, but plans changed to include only the family. If I could do it all over again, I would have had all my friends and other loved ones there to share in our day.

[Shatima]

Well Congrats on YOUR weddng, and I hope U are feeling better.. SO sorry u werent feeling well.. I love your review and was wonderring did U have any pix to share.. Thanks again, for taking time out to type ur review :)

[albean86]

congrats!! I would love to see some pictures too :)

[Herbaltees]

Hi girls. Sorry for just getting to my wedding review. I have been in and out of the hospital for severe anxiety ever since we got home.

 

Anyway, I cant say enough how wonderful the staff at Carnival and A Wedding For You were!

 

 

 

Hair & Makeup – I went to Julian’s Hair Designers in Dunkirk, MD. It’s a bit far south for girls coming from the north, but, if you are coming from the south, it’s a nice stop on your way up to the port (about 50 minutes to the port). I arrived at 7:00 am, and they had a bottle of champagne waiting for me. I was out the door by 9:00 am sharp, and in that time, Shannon and Marie did both my hair and makeup as well as my mom’s. We were looking so good!

 

Arrival at the Terminal – Well, me being me, we were early. We got there at 10:00 am. Since my parents drove, and were then to be driving home, we parked in Special Event parking. The only issue was the gentleman driving the bus to the terminal was trying to insist that I put my dress under the bus. No way, no how. Finally, after a $10 tip, he conceded to let me keep it on the bus (mind you, it was just me, my husband, and my parents on the entire bus).

 

At the terminal, we were not allowed in because, although there were check in agents for sailing guests, the people who were checking in non-sailing guests were in training. So, we stood outside the terminal with my dress and all our luggage until 10:45. That was kind of a bummer. Once we were allowed in, we were all checked in within a matter of minutes and then escorted to a waiting area where we were told we MUST sit. No standing allowed. ** Note, unlike other cruise terminals I have been in, Baltimore does not allow the use of cell phones in the waiting area **

 

While waiting to board the ship, we met briefly with Amanda and Linda from A Wedding For You. OMG, these women are amazing. We did a quick run thru of the ceremony and they had already devised a plan to keep things as drama free as possible. LOVE THEM.

 

Boarding the Ship and Getting Ready – At just after 12:00, we were allowed to board the ship. I was the first person on board. I have never been able to say that before. LOL Amanda took me and my parents to our stateroom and Linda took B and his family to the Chapel. I guess from there his family was turned loose on the ship and B had some quiet time to get ready. I was told that they would be back for me at about 12:50, so, I spent the next 30 minutes hanging out with my parents on the balcony just relaxing. At 12:40 I started to get my dress on, and at 12:50 Amanda came back with the photographer, Snjezana, to take a few pictures. SHE IS AMAZING. Sadly, after our sailing, she was transferred to the Triumph, so, TX brides, you are in for a treat!

 

After pictures, we went right to the Chapel. There were already quite a few people on the ship, and it was really strange to be congratulated … I guess I just wasn’t expecting it!

 

The Wedding Ceremony – As soon as we arrived at the Chapel, I met the wedding hostess who made sure that I did not want rose petals around the cake. I was so happy she asked, because I really didn’t! Then, it was time to go. I actually had this moment where both my parents took a step forward, and I froze. I didn’t realize that it was happening right at that moment! The Chapel is a super small venue, but perfect for the 9 people, including us, that were there. Our ceremony was short and sweet with only one closing poem. We didn’t bother to upgrade the alter flowers, and they were actually really pretty, but all white. I will have to look back at pictures to see what was in them, since I honestly don’t remember!

 

The Reception – This was also held in the Chapel. It was a little strange to walk out of the room, and walk right back in. But, they managed to very quickly move a cake table in and the cake was so pretty! I asked them to please not have any dots, swirls, etc on the cake, just smooth white frosting. Amanda then took the ribbon I provided (uncut!!) and put a ribbon at the bottom of each layer of cake, and then surprised me with a ribbon on the cake stand. I had an accent flower I wanted put on the cake as well, and they did. It looked amazing.

 

There was a small mix up over champagne versus ginger ale for B’s younger siblings. Needless to say, an unnecessary scene was made, but the staff handled it so well. Linda and Amanda kind of stepped in to diffuse the situation and keep us away from it. Again, I love those ladies!

 

Lunch and Pictures – After all this, the family was excused to go have lunch on the Lido while we did pictures around the ship. There was not a single bad picture among those presented to us. For the most part, people were really respectful of the fact that we were having pictures taken, although, there are always a few … LOL

 

We did not take any pictures outside at this time. Instead, we did all the pictures inside the ship. Our photographer said the pictures outside are best done after sail away so that you have better lighting and something other than Bmore in the background.

 

We quickly met up with our families just before they had to disembark.

 

Muster Drill – It was HOT. Ladies, if you act like you are melting, they will let you sit with the special needs people. Just a little hint.

 

More Pictures – After sail away, we went up to the Lido and upper decks for pictures. Again, not a bad picture in the bunch. The weirdest part was people taking pictures of us. Again, not something I was prepared for, but found really funny.

 

Love and Marriage Show – We were on it! It was wonderfully embarrassing. I keep checking YouTube, but it hasn’t shown up yet.

 

 

 

All in all, it was a wonderful experience. Both B and I agree that we are so happy that we chose the ship for our wedding venue. Everyone on board was so kind and helpful, as were Linda and Amanda. Those who have seen our pictures say that they have never seen pictures like that from a “traditional” wedding and are jealous as to how well ours turned out.

 

The only thing I can say that I regret is not having a larger wedding. As you know, it was supposed to be just the two of us, but plans changed to include only the family. If I could do it all over again, I would have had all my friends and other loved ones there to share in our day.

 

Oh my goodness I had no idea this was your wedding. I actually saw your wedding set up as we were waiting to exit the ship. Congratulations!