Experienced HAL CC, have you ever seen women wearing their wedding dress on...?

[IrishSmiley]

... formal nights?

I'd like to know if it is common on HAL for brides or honeymooners to wear their wedding dress at one of the formal nights?

Common or Odd?

:)

Thanks in advance.

[x lindsay x]

I've never seen it on a ship before. Unless they were married only minutes before the dinner I'd think it was kind of odd to see someone in a wedding dress.

[RuthC]

I've never seen it that I know of, but then with the typical HAL demographic the traditional bridal regalia might not be very common.
It's possible that an older bride in second (3rd?) wedding attire might not look that different from anyone else on a formal night.

I did see a bride in full regalia on one of my Noordam cruises, but it was mid-day and I suspect the ceremony was just over (she was with the groom).

[Love Cruises]

... formal nights?

I'd like to know if it is common on HAL for brides or honeymooners to wear their wedding dress at one of the formal nights?

Common or Odd?

:)

Thanks in advance.
We were on our "1 and only" Princess cruise last fall. A couple got married on board in the late morning and had a reception that afternoon for the 40 or so family members that came on board with them. That night happened to be a "formal" night and the bride stayed in her gown and even went to the show in the theater.

Last fall we were on the msAMSTERDAM and one of the singer/dancers in the stage productions got married to one of the Indonesian crew members in Montreal. They had their wedding reception at 11:00 pm that night in the main dining room with their family and HAL crew friends. That was the only time in all our HAL cruises we saw a bride in her gown on board.

IrishSmiley... you are going to love cruising on HAL. Have a wonderful wedding and honeymoon!!

And, if you feel like wearing your wedding gown on a formal night, why not!!! Everyone will love seeing you in it and you surely will get to talk to a lot of passengers that way!

[shonuf]

A few years ago we saw a couple who got married right before the ship sailed and saw her gown. More of a ball gown than a bridal gown in my opinion. She did wear it on formal night also. It looked very expensive and I don't blame her for wanting to wear it more than once.

Later in the cruise, we saw her in a very tiny bikini. Even my husband agreed, she looked a lot better in the gown.:(

I say, if you want to wear it do so. Let 'em talk!

[jhannah]

The only bridal garments I've seen have been on those going to or coming from the chapel. Never seen them at dinner.

[hammybee]

I have seen this on Carnival, twice. Both times it followed the ceremony. They did not wear them again for a subsequent formal night.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

On our very first cruise on the Monarch OTS we saw a couple getting married several hours before Sail Away. It was being held in Viking Crown Lounge and they had quite a large wedding party. The bride, groom and attendents were all decked out. The bride had a beatuiful bridal gown on and I do remember her waslking around the ship later in the dress. But of course it was not a Formal night. It also looked like they had several guests in attendence. I guessed at the time that their guests had been allowed to board for the wedding only while the Bride and Groom stayed on for the cruise. It was just a short 5 day Western Caribbean out of FLL. It was because of seeing this that got me thinking about doing a ROV. That cruise was for our 25th Anniversary so it took me another 5 years to plan out ROV.

[innlady1]

... formal nights?

I'd like to know if it is common on HAL for brides or honeymooners to wear their wedding dress at one of the formal nights?

Common or Odd?

:)

Thanks in advance.

Last year on Princess, there was a party next to us at dinner that was obviously a mini wedding reception. And the bride was in attendance in her bridal gown.

[sail7seas]

I've never seen a bride in her gown on a ship and I'm not really sure what I think about it.

I suppose if you want to, go for it. Hopefully, you like lots of attention because I think many folks will approach you to offer congratulations. :)

Best wishes to you......

[serendipity1499]

No, it's not common...

Have never seen a bride wear a typical white full length wedding gown with train & veil on a formal night..However many wedding dresses are tea length or more tailored & the train can be removed..If it were this type of dress sans train & veil, it might not look too different than what many wear for formal night..Lots of Ladies do wear white gowns..

Also as someone else mentioned, most likely 2nd & 3rd time Brides would wear their dresses, as they usually are more tailored & are an off white or light color..My 2nd time around wedding dress no longer fits me, but if I was slimmer ;) I would love to wear it! I've worn my Mother of the Groom dress on Formal Nights..

In any event, do what makes you comfortable & the devil with what others think;) I'm sure you will make a lovely Bride..:) Congratulations & enjoy your cruise & your Honeymoon..:)

Betty

[Iris5383]

On our first cruise we did a renewal of vows for our 25th. A couple that we ate with in the dining room was on their honeymoon, and they were involved in the ROV ceremony also. She wore her full-length, white bridal gown to the ceremony and to dinner.

[sail7seas]

Must have been a challenge trying to pack the dress. Unless, they lived close to the port and didn't have to fly.

Interesting they did a ROV on their Honeymoon. :) Maybe they didn't have their honeymoon immediately after their marriage?

[Iris5383]

Good point. I didn't ask her how she packed the dress. If I remember right, they had only been married a couple of weeks. To each his own, I guess.

[kakalina]

Twice I have seen brides in full wedding regalia on board the ship. Both times the large weddings took place on the ship and the reception was also held aboard. However, on one of them the wedding guests had to depart prior to the ships leaving port. It was interesting to see all of them dressed so nicely.

[cnvh]

If the wedding took place that day on the ship, I wouldn't think it strange for the bride to wear the dress to dinner... but to bring a traditional wedding gown along to wear on a formal night? Umm, STRANGE. (As expensive as bridal gowns are, they're really not the kind of attire where one should expect to ever wear it more than once, you know?)

But like some earlier posters said, if it was a non-traditional (i.e., off-white, tea-length, etc.) wedding dress, like what one might wear to a second or third wedding-- most times those dresses WERE "formal wear" and not wedding dresses when purchased. So in that case, why not?

[babyher]

I've never seen a woman in a bridal gown on a ship, but have walked by many women on formal niight , and had my wife turn to me and say "old bridesmaid dress" *LOL*

[daveco58]

My second wife did wear her wedding dress on our honeymoon cruise, however, as others pointed out, it was not a traditional gown, but a cream colored, full length, no train, no veil kind of thing. She did not seem overdressed to me. But then, I was still in love back then, what do I know?

[hammybee]

In any event, do what makes you comfortable & the devil with what others think;) I'm sure you will make a lovely Bride..:) Congratulations & enjoy your cruise & your Honeymoon..:)

Betty

Sound advise.

[IrishSmiley]

hi all,

thanks so much for all the replies

it had not occur to me that some people, apparently on other cruises, not HAL, would do that, so just wanted to check with you

I don't think I am going to do it, although of course I would have loved to wear it again, I don't think I would dare! :)

Interesting that women would wear white/ivory gown at formal nights thought, I think I would like that and we could then get "black and white" pics on board! Thanks again!

[spcl4cs_gal]

On one of my Zuiderdam sailings I remember seeing a bride and groom celebrating with friends in the Pinnacle one night. She was wearing her wedding gown but I'm not sure when the ceremony actually took place.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Have seen a few couples who got married on the ship, had their reception on the ship, and the bride did wear her wedding gown the first formal night.

[jhannah]

A couple that we ate with in the dining room was on their honeymoon, and they were involved in the ROV ceremony also. Maybe they thought the initial pronouncement didn't "take," or perhaps they learned that their officiant had been defrocked so they weren't sure it was legal. :D

[GrammyPL]

Our daughter got married on the Westerdam in Nov 05. She did have a long white gown and vail. The wedding and reception was in the Oak Room. The photograter had them posing after the reception all over the ship. (the photos were great and not that expensive) For dinner she did leave on her dress but took her vail off. We tryed to have dinner for all 10 of us in the Pinnacle but they wouldn't let us so we all eat in the dinning room. She and her new hubby had free drinks all over the ship that night. Penny

[Robin7]

On one of my Zuiderdam sailings I remember seeing a bride and groom celebrating with friends in the Pinnacle one night. She was wearing her wedding gown but I'm not sure when the ceremony actually took place.

We also saw a bride on the Zuiderdam in the Pinnacle. Her dress was what my 19-year-old daughter calls a 'mermaid' style. It was very heavily beaded and breathtakingly beautiful. Her hair was in a up-do with a tiny tiara in it. Her husband was in a tuxedo. They were alone, so I'm REALLY not sure when they had their ceremony or if it was ROV or what. I didn't think they looked out of place. Elegant clothing for an elegant restaurant. :)

Robin

[hcw80]

I would rather see a woman in a beautiful bridal dress on formal night than the slob who wore the sideways baseball cap and shorts to the dining room on the last RCI I was on.

Wear it and be proud, you will look beautiful. Most people will enjoy seeing you in it. Unless of course you plan on wearing a dirty baseball cap with it, on sideways.

Here is the only dress faux pas I think you should avoid. Last Spring break, I brought a nice white blazer with me for smart casual in the Caribbean. I didn't realize I would look like the wait staff until I got to the dining room. :eek: Even my husband who is fashion disabled noticed. Never again - white, cream or pastels, but not white.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I was just going thru all of the Princess ship Web Cams checking out where they were and I ran across a couple actually getting married in the wedding chapel on the Golden Princess. I know it is not HAL but the bride is in full bridal wear.:)

[aprilwaters]

I just got off the Noordam and my husband and I did our renewal of vows, and I wore a wedding dress. I was princess for the night and had many many compliments. Even the entertainer for the evening (who was a comedian) called me Cinderella.) By the way, that evenings dress was casual. I'd say go for it, go for it, go for it. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

[PathfinderEss]

We were on Celebrity last year and a couple was on board that had won a contest apparently that paid for the cruise and their wedding with the Food Channel, but they had to consent to having it filmed. They were on board with their whole wedding party and food channel actually was on board filming a lot of the celebration. They were dress in full wedding attire. I understood it was going to be aired on the Food Channel this May or June, so look for it.

[dividedsky319]

I just got off the Noordam and my husband and I did our renewal of vows, and I wore a wedding dress.

You didn't happen to be the couple that got picked for the newlywed, not so newlywed game were you?

[aprilwaters]

Yes we were, and you were missed at the meet and greet. I looked all over the ship for dead/phish shirts. Now I am totally embarrassed that you saw me there and I didn't get to meet you

[dividedsky319]

Sorry, I didn't get a chance to go to the meet and greet :( One of the things my wife was most looking forward to was the culinary arts demonstrations, and there was one going on during the m&g... and I felt funny going alone, so I went to the craps lesson instead.

Good luck keeping the videotape of that newlywed game from your mother in law! ;)

[newmexicoNita]

Wearing wedding attire is done often when the couple get married on ship. what else would they wear? As for wearing to dinner the first night or formal night I have seen it only once. I would say it is a little different to say the least. Our granddaughter got married on Celebrity about 18 months ago; she and the wedding party kept their wedding attire on during the reception, but when those who were not sailing left the ship and it was time for the boat safety drill everyone changed thier clothes. NMnita

[IrishSmiley]

Hi,

thanks again for all the replies

this is a very mixed topic!

still not sure what to do, but thinking of not doing it; however, I might purchase an ivory formal dress for one of the night... that would be the only time you can wear a light colour afterall! :)

[LolaWiz]

On our cruise in Jan 2006 on the Westerdam, a lady was wearing a wedding dress... he same wedding dress from 25 years ago because she and her husband were celebrating their anniversary with a vow renewal onboard.
Her dress was very classic and elegant, not "pouffy" at all... and it was wonderful that she 1) was married that long and 2) could still fit into it perfectly!

I thought it was great as did a lot of other people.
Other than that, no i have never seen it and i would think it was very bizaare if i did.

[sortingthoughts]

My husband and I were married 2/23/07 and left for our honeymoon on the Veendam 2/25/07. Our wedding was small, but very elegant. Because we didn't splurge on an expensive photographer, we decided to take our wedding clothes with us and use the formal night on the cruise as a chance to get some formal portraits.

I spent the afternoon at the salon getting my hair done in the same (well, similar) style that I wore it to the big event on Friday evening. Fairly simple style, showing the stylist pictures would really help - mine was a bit confused. We got dressed in our room, and headed out to the photo lines. A number of people complimented me on my dress, and a few asked if it was my wedding dress. I was quite tickled to tell them that it was indeed my wedding dress, and my new husband kept telling me how smiley I was :)

If you decide to wear your wedding dress on the cruise, enjoy it! I will tell you however, we got married in 18 degree weather. Wearing the dress again when it was in the 80's and humid, well, the lace was a little itchier than I remembered!

Here's a photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sorting_thoughts/473751803/in/set-72157600134675174/) so you can see how the formals turned out.

[IrishSmiley]

My husband and I were married 2/23/07 and left for our honeymoon on the Veendam 2/25/07. Our wedding was small, but very elegant. Because we didn't splurge on an expensive photographer, we decided to take our wedding clothes with us and use the formal night on the cruise as a chance to get some formal portraits.

I spent the afternoon at the salon getting my hair done in the same (well, similar) style that I wore it to the big event on Friday evening. Fairly simple style, showing the stylist pictures would really help - mine was a bit confused. We got dressed in our room, and headed out to the photo lines. A number of people complimented me on my dress, and a few asked if it was my wedding dress. I was quite tickled to tell them that it was indeed my wedding dress, and my new husband kept telling me how smiley I was :)

If you decide to wear your wedding dress on the cruise, enjoy it! I will tell you however, we got married in 18 degree weather. Wearing the dress again when it was in the 80's and humid, well, the lace was a little itchier than I remembered!

Here's a photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sorting_thoughts/473751803/in/set-72157600134675174/) so you can see how the formals turned out.

thanks so much for sharing your experience! well done, you both look lovely!

[ger_77]

Sortingthoughts: lovely picture - what a great idea to have your formal evening pics in your wedding attire. Does your husband ever have people tell him he looks like a younger (and better looking) Ozzy Osborne? I did a double take when I first saw your photo! You both look so happy - congratulations!

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[pjhusk]

YES, and it was spectacular! My son and daughter-in-law met on the Ryndam 10 years ago (both were sailing with their parents for as a college graduation gift). Three years later, they married at sea on the Grand Princess (at the time, the only ship where the Captain would/could marry them at sea). The planning process was much simpler and the affair more elegant on the ship. It was less stress for them too, because a ship wedding planner handled all the details, including flowers, salon services, etc. They specifically chose a formal night for the wedding date so they would blend in nicely in their wedding attire. She wore a beautiful white strapless Princess Grace type gown and a tiara veil. The entire wedding party, which included 27 friends/family all wore their wedding finest. They got married around 6:00, the ship photographer handled the pre/post wedding photo session, and afterwards, we all sipped champagne as we waited for the wedding dinner/reception in one of the alternative dining rooms around 8:00. Dessert of course was a wedding cake prepared by the Chef, and then we all made the rounds on the ship's entertainment areas (casino, lounges, etc.). She was quite comfortable in her gown, and she stayed in it all evening (she did remove her veil - but kept the tiara). They did attract a good deal of attention, but it was all smiles, well wishes, and applause. After the week long wedding cruise, they dis-embarked the Grand and immediately boarded a HAL Ship for a week long Honeymoon! Since then, I have been on several HAL cruises, and have seen formal wedding gowns!!! GO FOR IT!!!!

[ChatKat in Ca.]

But it was on the Splendour of the Seas, and my dress was a tea length dress with tone on tone cream stripes a line sleeveless. I wore a lace jacket with sequins for the wedding ceremony the weekend before we sailed and on the ship I had a tuxedo/dinner jacket with satin lapels. I bought the dress knowing that I could wear it over and over again without calling attention to myself as a new bride. It's 10 years old and we're cruising on our anniversary this year. A good reason to lose a few pounds and wear it again onboard!