Sensational Wedding, January 25, 2015

[mrstriceasnice]

Ahhh back to work today after a lovely week and a half off for our wedding, cruise, and Geekymoon. I have to say I was a little nervous because we have all read the reviews where things went wrong, didn’t happen, or people were completely disappointed. Well let me start by saying that was NOT my experience. I am thrilled with my wedding. Our only disappointment was that at the last minute health and job issues kept my mother in law and her husband from joining us.

 

We flew to Port Canaveral the day before the wedding. My gown was my carry on and his suit and tuxedo accessories were his. Honestly I can say that My gown got thrown up in the overhead with everyone else’s stuff and it made it just fine. This was something I had lost sleep over, worrying about transporting this gown. I bagged it up the night before our flight since we had to be up at 4:30 am to fly to Florida. I unbagged it when we got to our hotel, hung it in the bathroom with the shower going while we went to the pool for drinks and the few wrinkles just fell out. We rented a car to get from Orlando to Port Canaveral. I wanted to use the rental car shuttle to get us to the port since I had problems convincing the hotel we would need a shuttle to the port before their regular 10:30 first shuttle. This actually worked out perfectly for us. We got right to the port by 10 am, checked our luggage, and had our own line already set aside for us and our guests to check in. We beat the wedding coordinator to the port and were mostly checked in when she arrived since we didn’t have to actually be there until 10:30. I am one of those “must be there twenty minutes early” kind of girls. The coordinator, her assistant, and our officiant showed soon and we went over everything quickly. I used the waiting time to talk to everyone, pass out the brooches for the ladies and kilt pins for the men, and just take a few moments to breathe.

[mrstriceasnice]

At 11:15 or so it was time to board. We went through the terminal before everyone else and boarded. They announced us as we walked through the terminal and when we boarded the ship the people in the lobby announced us to the crew and everyone greeted us. My mother, son, and soon to be husband and I boarded an elevator with the wedding coordinator to get ready in our two cabin that were ready and everyone else went to explore. After I was ready the photographer came in and took a few quick shots of me pretending to get ready with my mother helping and then he was off to get shots in the library. At some point around 12:30 they had a quick rehearsal then came to get me right before one.

 

My step father walked me from my stateroom to the Library. They had the area outside roped off to keep the general public out. Because we had paid for two extra guests and they found two of our friends lurking around outside the library the coordinator invited them into watch and have dinner with us.

 

Once inside the library, My son took over the walk to the altar and my step father took his seat. The ceremony was short and perfect. I carried my brooch bouquet that I had made for the ceremony and afterwards switched to the supplied rose bouquet for pictures since the brooch bouquet had seen better days with the shipping it to Florida. It held together long enough for the ceremony pictures and the cake table. When we walked out of the library they announced us to everyone in the atrium so needless to say we were known for the rest of the cruise.

[mrstriceasnice]

My handsome Ring bearer who is my two year old nephew. He didn't really want to give back the rings since they rattled. lol He also enjoyed stepping in to talk to me while we posed for post ceremony pictures. Needless to say the excitement made for a good nap on the way home. Also they did give us chicken nuggets and fries for him instead of our other menu since it wasn't child friendly really.

[mrstriceasnice]

We came into the dining room as we had chosen to do the Let Us Serve You package with the sit down dinner. At this point they announced us to our guests, did the cake cutting to get those shots before we sat down to our meal. Everything was delicious and the staff were wonderful. Our wait staff was the same staff we had for the rest of the cruise in the main dining room so that was nice. They took pictures during the meal which included four courses, wine, iced tea, lemonade, then cake and a champagne toast. Our cake was then sent to our dining room and served at dinner each evening. We went with the mixed vanilla and chocolate tiers with cream cheese filling. It was moist and delicious.

 

After everyone had eaten and it was almost time for our non sailing guests to leave we took one last group shot that I wanted. I had taken a list with me with examples I found here of four shots I wanted specifically. The great thing about these boards are all of the wonderful sharing that goes on. For those of you in the planning stage, the search option on the forum is one of the best things ever for getting information.

[mrstriceasnice]

Our non sailing guests de-barked and the photographer agreed on where to meet us after the Muster Drill for the remaining pictures. We went to our stateroom for a few minutes before it was time for the muster drill. After they went to see the life boats, our crew told us we didn’t have to go since my dress was making it hard to climb stairs. Then we went to meet Hery for pictures.

 

I’m going to attach some of the shots we purchased. I went with a budget of $300. We had gotten $175 in Carnival gift cards so when we met with Hery on the last day we bought the basic package for $499. He threw in 5 extra pictures of our choice. The book he made was great but I just didn’t see spending $1000 to get it. Carnival gives you a photo release online for make copies of your pictures so you will have plenty for friends and family.

[mrstriceasnice]

If anyone has questions I would be happy to answer them. I can honestly say everything went great. I got my four requirements for the day.

1. I got to wear a pretty dress

2. I got cake

3. People cried happy tears

4. I ended the day married to my best friend.

It was perfect, or at least perfect for us.

[mrstriceasnice]

Some of our photos

[mrstriceasnice]

And More

[hbicfrd]

If anyone has questions I would be happy to answer them. I can honestly say everything went great. I got my four requirements for the day.

 

1.I got to wear a pretty dress

 

2.I got cake

 

3.People cried happy tears

 

4.I ended the day married to my best friend.

 

It was perfect, or at least perfect for us.

 

 

Congratulations!!! The pictures are beautiful. I'm so happy for you guys.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[dbrown13]

I have been looking forward to your review! It looks amazing and sounds like everything turned out perfect!

 

I do have a couple questions... did you take any photos directly after the ceremony before the "reception"? I was worried about dragging my dress around and standing around for the muster so I'm very excited to know it may be an option not to have to go to the muster.

 

Did you take any extra decorations or anything with you for the ceremony or reception? And did you do a sand or candle ceremony? I don't think we are going to do one, but I am curious to know if you feel like it should be there or everything might go too fast otherwise?

 

Congratulations on marrying your best friend! I am most excited about ending my day this way as well :)

[mrstriceasnice]

I have been looking forward to your review! It looks amazing and sounds like everything turned out perfect!

 

I do have a couple questions... did you take any photos directly after the ceremony before the "reception"? I was worried about dragging my dress around and standing around for the muster so I'm very excited to know it may be an option not to have to go to the muster.

 

Did you take any extra decorations or anything with you for the ceremony or reception? And did you do a sand or candle ceremony? I don't think we are going to do one, but I am curious to know if you feel like it should be there or everything might go too fast otherwise?

 

Congratulations on marrying your best friend! I am most excited about ending my day this way as well :)

 

They took about half of the pictures between the ceremony and reception. The other half were after the muster drill. We still had to sit through the safety drill but in one of the clubs and in the AC. We didn't have to climb up to the life boats though.

 

We did not do the sand ceremony or a Unity Candle, For us we wanted it very simple. I am an officiant at home and I do weddings all summer so simple and easy was what worked for us. Honestly it was maybe 15 minutes for the ceremony and I know when I do a Unity Candle or Sand ceremony it adds 5-10 minutes to my ceremonies.

[DustinandStacy2015]

I found it! Ahhhh! Everything looks so nice! I am so glad everything went so well for you! You looked beautiful!

[mrstriceasnice]

Congratulations!!! The pictures are beautiful. I'm so happy for you guys.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Thank you

[mrstriceasnice]

I found it! Ahhhh! Everything looks so nice! I am so glad everything went so well for you! You looked beautiful!

 

Thank you. I can't wait to see your beach wedding!

[slord12]

Congratulations! Tax season is already flying by and soon it will be June and my turn, I can't believe it's coming up so fast!

[mrstriceasnice]

Congratulations! Tax season is already flying by and soon it will be June and my turn, I can't believe it's coming up so fast!

 

I know the crew of the Sensation will be as wonderful to you as they were to us!

[Ana Byrd]

Hello! Your wedding looks beautiful.

 

I have a few questions if you don't mind..

 

Did you choose the library location of the ceremony?

 

Did you use the spa for hair/makeup?

 

How long was your wait for the priority boarding?

 

How much time did you have between boarding and the ceremony?

 

 

 

Thank you!!!

[pinklily116]

Congrats!!!

 

I do have a few questions for you...

1. Do you have any pics of the luncheon part of it?

2. Did they decorate for the luncheon or did you bring any kind of decorations?

3. Did they have ya'll at just one table? I'll have about 20 people coming along for my wedding (6 of those are kids) so I'm wondering about the table situation... I wonder if it's possible to have us all sitting at one large table or if we'll have to break up the group

[Creole Girl]

Lovely! Thank you so much for sharing your day. Congratulations!

[mrstriceasnice]

Hello! Your wedding looks beautiful.

 

I have a few questions if you don't mind..

 

Did you choose the library location of the ceremony?

 

Yes, we did choose it. We wanted a location close to the dining room since my mother in law has mobility issues. I wanted her to not have to use a wheelchair at her son's wedding.

 

 

Did you use the spa for hair/makeup?

 

No, I did it myself. You cannot really use the spa for embarkation day weddings as there is not time. You have to show to the ship with hair and makeup ready to go.

 

 

How long was your wait for the priority boarding?

 

I did get to the port a little bit early so Our wait was longer than it may have been for most. We got there about 10 and boarded around 11:20/ We were the first to board.

 

 

How much time did you have between boarding and the ceremony?

 

As I said we boarded at 11:20. The ceremony was at 1. rehearsal for everyone else was at 12:30. I was on my room by 11:45, the wedding coordinator and I went over some details, the photographer came by about 12:30 or so for a few pictures and they came to get me just before one pm to walk to the venue. I spent the time getting into my gown, touching up my make up, decorating my state room door, and taking some time to spend with my mother before the ceremony.

 

 

 

Thank you!!!

 

Just remember each wedding is a little different because it all hinges on when the ship clear customs.

[mrstriceasnice]

Congrats!!!

 

I do have a few questions for you...

1. Do you have any pics of the luncheon part of it?

 

No we didn't take any pictures and the ones the ship photographer took I didn't purchase since they were just pictures of us all eating and talking.

 

2. Did they decorate for the luncheon or did you bring any kind of decorations?

 

The only thing I brought were menus which they placed one on each plate. They used my bouquets and our ring box to decorate the cake table.

 

3. Did they have ya'll at just one table? I'll have about 20 people coming along for my wedding (6 of those are kids) so I'm wondering about the table situation... I wonder if it's possible to have us all sitting at one large table or if we'll have to break up the group

 

There were 11 of us, we all sat at one table. They will probably have to seat you at two tables or maybe they can set it up in a u formation. They did re arrange the dining room a wee bit to accomodate our table and the cake table.

[mrstriceasnice]

Lovely! Thank you so much for sharing your day. Congratulations!

 

Thank you :)

[dbrown13]

At least it all went off pretty smoothly. Our guests and family have a habit of being late so I'm pushing up their arrival time to ensure everyone is there on time! It would be my luck that the ship would clear customs early and all of the wedding party isn't on sight yet!

 

Was it rushed getting the non-sailing guests off of the ship? I imagine they are escorted off?

[mrstriceasnice]

I had told all of my guests to arrive by ten to make sure they were there on time. They all know how I am about punctuality so they were there rather than have me refuse to let them board. Lol

 

The guests actually were ready to go before anything was said and they were told just to leave the way they came. The check in had all of their IDs so they know if you get off or not because you have to claim your ID.

[dbrown13]

Oh that makes better sense! I was wondering about that process but it hasn't struck me to ask. I just figured it would come about on the day.