Yacht weddings are one of the most glamorous ways of getting married and they’re perfect for couples who want to wow their guests and create unique memories. The logistics of a yacht wedding can be a little more complex than a wedding on dry land, so here are three handy tips to help your big day run seamlessly at sea.
Plan the legal ceremony well in advance
Getting legally married at sea isn’t straightforward. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not true that a ship’s captain can marry a couple at sea in a legally binding ceremony – the only exception is Japanese ships if the couple have Japanese passports. It’s important to check local laws in the country or jurisdiction in which your wedding will take place – if this is abroad, check that you can have a legally binding wedding without being a citizen of your chosen destination.
Many popular wedding destinations, such as Saint Lucia, Italy, and Mexico, allow non-citizens to get married as long as they have the right paperwork, but getting all these documents in order can inevitably make for more stressful wedding planning.
A simpler solution may be to marry at a venue on land and have the reception on the yacht. Alternatively, you might prefer to get legally wed at home and have a non-legal ceremony at sea where you exchange vows and rings in front of your guests with a beautiful ocean backdrop.
Bring extra supplies for every eventuality
As many as 10% of couples cite the weather as a wedding day regret. While the weather is something totally beyond our control, we can temper its impact by being prepared to cope with adverse conditions.
For a yacht wedding, consider the risk of strong winds or rain and pack extra supplies accordingly. This might include light blankets in case it gets chilly on deck, or hats and fans in case it becomes unseasonably hot and there’s little shade. It’s also a good idea to pack anti-nausea medication – strong winds can make waters choppy, even if the yacht is docked in the marina. Guests prone to seasickness will thank you for offering nausea remedies.
Give guests plenty of information ahead of time
If you know that many of your guests have never attended a yacht wedding before, help them prepare by sending an information sheet with your invitations. You’ll want to include important safety advice, such as wearing non-slip shoes with a flat sole or wedge heel, and avoiding overly long dresses or skirts to minimize trip hazards.
Add tips for staying comfortable such as bringing an extra layer in case the wind picks up, and packing anti-nausea medication in case of seasickness. If the yacht is set to cruise, make sure to mention this to guests so that they know they won’t be able to come and go as they please. It’s also important to let guests know about accessibility on board the yacht in case they need to ask for special arrangements.
Perfect yacht weddings are prepared yacht weddings
The key to a yacht wedding running seamlessly is careful planning and being ready for all eventualities. Many couples find that hiring a wedding coordinator can help with this. If you do decide to go it alone, just be sure to start planning the big day well in advance to ensure every detail is accounted for and the big day is smooth sailing.
Plan and organize everything in advance
Planning your special day in advance and organizing the most important aspects of your yacht wedding is without a doubt vital, as it helps you avoid issues and misunderstandings.
Choosing the right wedding yacht charter and amenities will be key in making the entire experience magical, and most yacht companies are eager to assist and guide you throughout this process, making it less stressful overall.
Make sure to discuss with them in detail your expectations, so they can make all the necessary arrangements for you and your guests. As they say, beauty lies in the details.
The yacht charters also organize tours for their clients so that they can see the boats and choose the perfect one for them.
We all know that money makes the world go round, but it is also crucial to have a budget when you start planning your wedding day.
A well-defined budget will help you prioritize your most significant wedding aspects like the wedding ceremony, decor, theme, entertainment, floral arrangements, culinary preferences and drinks.
Budgeting will help you know exactly where your money went and will also show you what matters most when planning your yacht wedding.
If you ask us, it also means avoiding sleepless nights because you planned ahead your finances, which is always a win in our book.
Discussing the guest list with your partner should be a high priority and should be decided as early as possible in the process.
Some people may prefer a small wedding with 20 guests and others may prefer inviting more than 150 friends and family members.
Communication is key in every life aspect so you should plan in advance the guest list with your significant other and make sure you are on the same page!
Lastly, you’ll want to remember your special day forever and share your memories with your children, family and friends, therefore you should find a professional photographer who will immortalize all the beautiful, fun, and magical moments of your wedding day.
These pictures will tell a part of your love story, so you should discuss with your photographer your vision regarding your wedding as well as your preferences.
Organize The Nitty-Gritty Details
Now that you’ve set your priorities and planned some of the most important aspects of your yacht wedding, it is wise to plan and organize all the essential details, too!
Personalize your wedding as much as you can, choose the decor, the flowers,the ambiance, the menu,the entertainment and create a unique celebration of love.
Think about the most beautiful memories that you’ve made with your partner and find a way to incorporate a part of them into your wedding. It may be a type of wine that you discovered together in France at a wine tasting, a dish or a dessert you both love or a song that makes you get up and dance.
The menu is also a great way to put your touch on your wedding, and most charter companies work with prestigious and talented chefs and teams ready to accommodate your every need and request.
You and your guests will enjoy a fine dining experience with carefully selected dishes, desserts and drinks suitable for any diets and food preferences.
For example, you can have a vegetarian menu, a vegan one, a nautical themed menu or one that is suitable for children.
The choice is yours but it is highly advisable you have a chat with your friends and family members beforehand so you know if they have any allergies or if they are intolerant to some ingredients.
Entertainment is also a significant aspect in a wedding, and, to make planning easier for their clients, charter companies can help you find a band or a DJ, a wedding cake baker, a florist, or a decorator.
Don’t forget that they’ve worked with some of the best and professional people, teams and companies in the wedding industry, therefore they will be able to assist you plan your celebration in great detail and make the overall experience less stressful, as you will not have to think about everything on your own.
Planning every little thing in detail does take time and effort but the result will be magical and you and your guests will remember these happy moments forever.
If you are currently in the process of planning your yacht wedding, we wish you and your partner a lifetime of happiness and love!
Love is patient, love is kind. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends
1 Corinthians 13:4-8