sweeetprincess80

Hi everyone! I really enjoy reading everyone's experience and tips. I hope my post can help anyone with any information they need for their wedding.

My fiancé proposed on April 12th and immediately we knew we wanted a wedding with beach and cruising. We decided on the wedding date march 8th as that was the date we first met.

I looked around at different cruises and found two cruises that leave out of Miami in that timeframe. RCCL and Carnival.

RCCL had two stops, Nassau and Cococay. Carnival had one stop, nassau. After much research, we came to the conclusion we wanted to get married on the island instead of the ship. My decision to get married on the island also affected which ship I decided everyone was going to take for vacation. As far as canceling the port, it's very rare as its a great time of year (weather is perfect, no hurricanes). It's the only port as well and someone told me Nassau is a very large port so it is rare they cancel to Nassau.

I booked a cruise on Carnival Exctasy leaving Miami on Friday, March 7th, 2014.

We arrive home on Monday morning. The boat arrives in Nassau on Saturday am and leaves sunday morning. I chose this cruise because we have all day and almost night to stay on the island. My ceremony and reception starts at 4:30 pm in Sandyport Beach. After the reception, we are heading over to the Atlantis for an afterparty.

With that said, after I did my research I also found out that there is a residency requirement for Bahamas. my fiancé and I would have to get married in Florida prior to the trip. You have to be in Bahemian waters 24 hours if you want to be legally married.

I looked up several wedding planners in the Bahamas. Anne Marie Williams with Weddings in the Bahamas and Anna Mae Fox. They both have amazing reviews and are reputable, reliable wedding planners. I decided to go with a

Anna Mae Fox. She has been wonderful and easy to work with. She is very prompt in emails and always answers my questions and concerns.

I looked at several locations for the wedding and decided on the Poop Deck lol yes, I know it sounds funny. When I originally saw the name, I thought there is no way I am having my wedding at a place that has POOp in it haha. After reading many reviews and research, I chose the Poop Deck in Sandyport. They have a beautiful private beach and reception area only for your wedding. Other places I looked at, you would have your wedding coincide with another group or public beach area.

I gave a deposit and booked the venue and planner.

I sent out the save the dates in July and am getting ready to sent my invites out next week. That would give everyone 6-7 months to plan.

I am using a travel agent (friend of a friend) to help with booking the cruise and accomodations because we are inviting 85 people.

Hi everyone ! I am a march 2014 bride :) still debating on whether I am going on carnival exctasy out of Miami or RC majesty for 3 day Bahamas. I booked a courtesy hold on carnival because I like the idea of being docked in Nassau for two days and have been discussing a rehearsal party at Atlantis the night before. We want to get married on the island. Look forward to hearing from all the new brides and sharing info.

I just found a groupon for vistaprint for $17 for 70 so when I pick the cruise line I'm using that for save the dates. This forum has been so helpful on deciding what I am going to do