Carnival Legend Wedding Review, July 19, 2009

SunnydayKim · #1 July 27th, 2009, 05:52 PM

Hello! We just returned from our July 19th Wedding & Honeymoon on the Carnival Legend. First, the quick review if you do not want to read my long review below: it FAR EXCEEDED my expectations both for the ceremony & reception.

Steve & I live just outside of Tampa (where the Carnival Legend leaves port) in Riverview. Because we had 60 guests that were not cruising with us, the weekend before our Sunday wedding we had multiple festivities in order to spend more time with our guests.

Friday: My mom, sister, great aunt, cousin (all in town for the wedding) & I went and had a pedicure in the morning. I also had my nails done & had a massage. Steve & I packed that afternoon and rested for a bit. We had cleaners come to our house Friday as well and the house looked spotless & dust free for our weekend party!

Friday night my (now) in-laws hosted a dinner at their community center in their neighborhood for all of the family that was in town on both of our sides. It was great as only our parents had met each other prior to this. Four of Steve’s brothers, their wives & children, his sister & her children, both sets of parents, my sister, aunt & cousin attended the dinner. It was so nice to just relax and chat with our families!

Friday night was our bachelor & bachelorette party. We had a great time and both parties met up with each other around 11pm at Channelside.

Saturday: We slept in a bit (now we understand WHY you do not have your bachelor/ette parties the night before the wedding! On Saturday Steve & I hosted an Open House pre-wedding party at our new home that we moved into in March. We had finger foods, sangrias, soda and a TON of people. I was shocked at how many of our wedding guests decided to make a weekend of it and come down on Saturday before the wedding! At one point I counted and there were 58 people in my house & out on the porch!

It was a great time and we were able to spend some time with people during the three hour party that we may just have been able to hug and thank at our reception the next day. After the Open House, some family stayed behind to help us clean up & then we were off to rehearsal dinner.

We rented out the Trolley Car at Spaghetti Warehouse in Ybor City in Tampa for 30 of our close family for our dinner. It was great! Good food, good atmosphere & great company! We handed out cards to our parents (their presents were to be in their staterooms as both sets of parents were cruising), a gift to our ushers (nephews), to my sister who was my maid of honor and one of Steve’s brothers who was his best man.

I went home with Steve, did a quick run through that we had everything packed, took a long shower and then he drove me to my parents hotel & I spent the night there with my sister & friend Diane. We stayed up talking & I tried to go to sleep… but maybe got 3 hours that night if lucky.

Sunday: Wedding Day! My Wedding Day started at 6am as the hair & make-up ladies from The Place of Beauty (www.theplaceofbeauty.com) came at 6:30am! My mom, sister & I all had our hair done. My sister & I both had our make-up done as well. It turned out great & she had listened to me from my previous talks with her about my natural looking make-up. My hair was perfect! I would highly recommend them if you are getting married in port in Tampa. They will come directly to you the morning of your wedding!

We had rented a shuttle ($12 per person) from the hotel in Brandon to the port. They were prompt & it went so smoothly. Steve met us at the hotel that morning along with his parents, brother & sister-in-law who were also cruising with us. 12 of us total PLUS all of our luggage & my wedding supplies fit very comfortably in the shuttle over to the port.

We arrived just before 10am and to our surprise, a lot of our guests were already waiting! At almost exactly 10am the wedding coordinator came out, made the announcement to all of my guests what they needed to fill out & have out and some general rules & we were checking in for our cruise at 10:30. There was a nice air-conditioned waiting area set up specifically VIP for our wedding party. The coordinators passed out a sheet to all guests of the time & location of the ceremony. I had also printed out a map of level two fo the Legend with an arrow to Satchmo’s Lounge, where our ceremony took place. Everyone chatted & then Steve & I were called over by the wedding coordinator to go over our last minute run through & to make certain that we had everything set up. We were also told that our wedding time had changed to 12:30 (15 minutes earlier than before as their were 3 weddings aboard that day) and since mine was the largest with 83 guests & the Deluxe Romance (1.5 hour reception) we had to move the wedding up. That was not a big deal!

Steve & I were the first guests on the ship! And all of our guests were aboard by 11:15-30 and able to explore for a bit while we went & got ready. Steve & his best man went to his parents room to get changed & my mom, sister, friend & I went to my aunt & uncle’s room (they had a suite!) to get me ready & into my dress. We took some pictures, got my dress, veil, jewelry, etc. on & then they had to leave me by 12:10 to be down at Satchmo’s by 12:15. I was a bit bored and then anxious up there in the room, but it was only about 10 minutes until the wedding coordinator called to tell me she was up to get me.

I waited then directly above the Satchmo’s lounge near Billy’s Piano Bar while waiting for everyone to be seated & the processional. The photographer came up and took some shots of me & then “Here Comes the Bride” started and I was whisked down the beautiful stairway to meet my dad at the bottom.

My dad met me at the bottom of the stairs and took me into Satchmo’s lounge filled with all of my guests, walked me down the aisle & gave me away to Steve. The ceremony flew by, but I remember bits and pieces of it well; to all brides, try to remember the little things! For example, Steve kept caressing my hands as the officiant was speaking, we both laughed when the officiant called Steve “Kimberly” once and then corrected herself! Our first kiss as husband and wife, holding hands and walking out together.

Once the ceremony was over, we went back in for some quick pictures and our guests were able to take some as well. Then our guests were escorted to the reception while Steve & I took a few more pictures alone; on the way to the reception we took a couple of other pictures and then it was time to be announced.

Our reception was in Medusa’s Liar (the disco club). We were announced as we were walking down the staircase. We immediately cut the cake, and did our cake exchange. Then, Bob, the best man & one of Steve’s brothers gave a great toast and we all had champaign (they had ginger ale with a cherry for kids & those that did not drink) and the buffet was open for all of our guests to eat.

Carnival had set up a little table for us with a plate full of each of the food on the buffet. This was unexpected but nice to have a quick bite. The drink service was wonderful, not only for Steve & I but for all guests; they ordered from the servers or up at the bar. The food was very good, although I did not eat much. They replenished the buffet often!

Steve & I started making the rounds and thanking everyone for coming, talking to as many people as we could, lots of hugs & congratulations!

Steve & I (about 20 minutes into the reception) were then pulled to do our first dance, immediately followed by our joint father/daughter & mother/son dance. This was perfect and cameras were flashing all around. We then did a few “group” shots on the dance floor with Steve’s siblings, friends, etc. And then the music got upbeat, drinks kept flowing and the party began!

We signed our marriage license at some point during this and our wedding coordinator was great about giving everyone a wedding favor and having them sign our untraditional guest book, a wedding plate- a silver plate that you needed to use a special diamond tipped metal pen to etch with;

It went by quickly, but I feel that we were still able to speak with everyone and enjoy ourselves!

Overall, I was so impressed by TWE & Carnival. They really put together an amazing day for us. All of our family and guests LOVED the cake, said it was so delicious and had a great time.

At the end of the reception they turned on the lights and announced that everyone had to leave. I grabbed the microphone and thanked everyone again and then gave hugs & kisses as our non-sailing guests exited. After our non-sailing guests left, Steve & I went with our photographer, Swami, to take more pictures!

Steve & I could not have asked for more on our wedding day. The décor was wonderful (with the exception of the Medusa heads, but… it was funny!), staff was very on top of everything and everyone had fun (including the bride & groom!).

OK, if you have read it this far… thank you! I didn’t know it would be this long. Pictures to come soon. Any questions, just ask!

Newlywed Carnival Legend Bride,
Mrs. Kim P.

jamir · #2 July 27th, 2009, 06:09 PM

Can you tell me where you purchased the guest signing plate? It sounds like a fun idea but I haven't seen one before. I can't wait to see your pictures.

SunnydayKim · #3 July 27th, 2009, 06:34 PM

Oops! I guess it is pewter, not silver! Look for Guest Plate on ExclusivelyWeddings.com

It turned out great & everyone said it was easy to write on! We decided to do this as we can display it in our dining room hutch instead of a guest book put away in a drawer somewhere.

Kim

lowash67 · #4 July 27th, 2009, 08:53 PM

Did you and Steve see each other in the waiting room? Did you all have a problem with this? I don't think I would have a problem with it. AS long as he doesn't see me in my dress before the wedding.

kwilliams137 · #5 July 27th, 2009, 08:57 PM

Great Review. I can't wait to see the pictures! you had the same photographer as me... he was great...Congrats!

jerseygirl79 · #6 July 27th, 2009, 09:17 PM

Congrats and welcome back!!!! It was so great to read your review. Wasn't the ship awesome??? Can't wait to see your pics.

MalibuBarbie · #7 July 27th, 2009, 10:28 PM

Sounds as though your day was PERFECT! Thanks for taking the time to write your review. I am sure it will be helpful to future brides.Can't wait to see your pictures!
MalibuBarbie

angela111509 · #8 July 27th, 2009, 10:30 PM

Congratulations and thanks for the review! Reading it put me even more at ease AND made me even more excited! I think you said in another post that the plate was easy to write on? I got a frame for everyone to sign with one of those pens, and that has been my biggest fear (that people would have to carefully print and it would look strange.) Did I read that correctly though? No one said that it was difficult? Also, did you ask the coordinator to have people sign the plate? Or did she do it on her own? Was there a table set up and did you request it? Did you tip all of the servers? How many were there?

I had more questions than I thought! Thanks in advance for the answers!!

Can't wait to see pictures!

angela

merocket59 · #9 July 28th, 2009, 06:44 AM

Congrats it sounds like you have an amazing wedding/vacation!! Thanks for the review

SunnydayKim · #10 July 28th, 2009, 10:30 AM

Pictures will be uploaded tonight. I just got them all organized yesterday

Steve & I rode in the same shuttle to the terminal, so we saw each other that morning before the wedding; however, only my hair & make-up was done. My hairdresser taught my mom how to put in my veil; we waited to put on the veil, headband, jewelry & dress so that the first time that he saw me was when I was walking down the aisle. In my breif time at the terminal, I would think it would have to be VERY well coordinated & timed for you all not to see each other at all before hand, but I know it has been done.

About the plate, some of the signatures & well wishes are in normal handwriting, cursive & some look like chicken scratch as they were scared to write normally; my plate came with a "practice piece" in which no one used. It looks great though. And, it is not going in a musuem, but in your home. I think that it will be easy & look amazing.

The unfortunate thing was that they did not set up a table as they said they would for my wedding plate & wedding favors; however, they said that Medusa's Lair could not have one easily, which I see. Because of this, our wedding coordinator took it upon herself and walked the plate around for people to sign & personally handed out our wedding favors

Our wedding favors were starfish picture frames with Thank you in them at first; we had some left overs and gave them to crew members along with their extra tips. Steve thought this was corny, but a few of them really liked it you could tell and hugged us & it was sweet.

We brought envelopes for the officiant, 2 wedding coordinators, DJ, bartender & one with more for the servers to split. I do not know how many servers that there were, I didn't count! They were all awesome though and the drink service was quick & speedy. Also, our wedding coordinator made certain that we had two drinks at a time! She was great. Unfortunately, her name has escaped me.

Kim

jerseygirl79 · #11 July 28th, 2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunnydayKim

I would think it would have to be VERY well coordinated & timed for you all not to see each other at all before hand, but I know it has been done.

I agree. And it can be stressful trying to stay separated and worrying about not being seen.

Great idea to have one pool of money in an envelope for the all servers!!!!

4evercruiser · #12 July 28th, 2009, 12:18 PM

SunnyDayKim, congratulations and welcome back. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Can't wait to see your photos.

SweetDara · #13 July 28th, 2009, 05:54 PM

Thanks for the review. I can't wait to see pictures. I know this has been asked a million times - but what is a good amount to tip the servers and coordinators?