Are you envisioning a wedding with an unforgettable backdrop—something beyond the traditional ballroom setting? For many couples, the choice comes down to two dream-worthy options: exchanging vows aboard a cruise or at a stunning resort.
Both offer incredible settings and unique experiences, but the right choice depends on your vision, priorities, and logistical considerations. Let’s explore what makes each option special and how to decide which is best for your big day.
1. Cruise Ship Wedding vs. Resort Wedding: Understand The Fundamental Differences Between Venues
The most obvious difference between these wedding options is the setting itself. A cruise wedding offers a dynamic backdrop that changes throughout your celebration, while a resort provides a consistent, immersive environment.
Cruise Ship Wedding Settings
On a cruise ship, you can choose from several onboard venues like a dedicated chapel, an open deck with panoramic ocean views, or an elegant lounge. Some couples opt for ceremonies at ports of call, essentially creating a shore excursion wedding experience. The unique appeal is waking up to new destinations throughout your wedding celebration.
Destination Resort Wedding Settings
Resort weddings typically take place at all-inclusive properties that offer dedicated ceremony locations. These might include pristine private beaches, lush tropical gardens, or elegant ballrooms. Your guests enjoy a consistent location throughout their stay, with all amenities centralized in one place.
2. Navigate The Legal Requirements For Each Option
One of the most important considerations for any destination wedding is ensuring your marriage is legally recognized when you return home.
Cruise Wedding Legal Considerations
For cruise weddings, you’ll need to follow the legal requirements of the country where the ship is registered. This often means obtaining a marriage license before boarding. Each cruise line has different policies, so you’ll need to research the specific requirements for your chosen ship.
Some cruise lines offer legal ceremonies only in specific ports, while others can perform ceremonies at sea. The documentation requirements vary widely, so start this research early in your planning process.
Destination Resort Wedding Legal Requirements
Resort weddings follow the marriage laws of the country where the resort is located. Depending on the destination, requirements can range from simple to complex. Some popular wedding destinations like Mexico and Jamaica have streamlined the process for tourists, while others may require blood tests, extended waiting periods, or document authentication.
Many resorts have dedicated wedding coordinators who can guide you through these requirements, but you should still verify the process independently to avoid surprises.
3. Compare The Planning Process For Each Option
How much control you want over your wedding details should heavily influence your venue choice.
Cruise Wedding Planning
Most cruise lines offer wedding packages coordinated by their onboard wedding team. This streamlined approach means less planning stress for you, but it also typically means fewer customization options. Your wedding will generally follow the cruise line’s established timeline and vendor relationships.
The convenience of having a coordinator handle the details can be perfect for couples who prefer a more hands-off approach. However, if you’re envisioning a highly personalized celebration, you might find the limitations frustrating.
Destination Resort Wedding Planning
Resorts usually provide more flexibility in the planning process. You’ll typically work with a resort-based wedding planner who can accommodate more specific requests. Many resorts allow you to bring in outside vendors or choose from their preferred vendor list, giving you greater control over elements like photography, flowers, and entertainment.
This option works well for couples who have a specific vision and want more input in the planning process. The trade-off is that you may need to be more involved in coordinating these details.
4. Evaluate The Cost Factors For Both Options
Wedding budgets are always a consideration, and both options have different cost structures that might make one more economical depending on your priorities.
Cruise Wedding Package Costs
A basic cruise wedding package typically includes the ceremony venue, an officiant, modest floral arrangements, a small wedding cake, and limited photography. Prices usually start around $1,500-$2,000 for the most basic packages.
Additional services like private receptions, upgraded decorations, and entertainment incur extra fees. The significant cost factor is that each guest must purchase a cruise fare, which represents a substantial commitment beyond just attending your wedding.
Destination Resort Wedding Costs
Many all-inclusive resorts offer complimentary or heavily discounted wedding packages when you and your guests book a minimum number of room nights. Standard packages often include the ceremony location, a private reception with food and beverages, and basic décor.
Like cruise packages, premium upgrades are available for additional fees. The advantage is that guests can often choose their length of stay and accommodation level based on their budget, potentially making it more accessible for some of your loved ones.
5. Consider The Hidden Costs For Each Option
Beyond the advertised package prices, both options come with additional expenses that can significantly impact your total budget.
Cruise Wedding Hidden Expenses
• Reception per-person fees that can range from $50-$150 per guest
• Restrictions on outside vendors that may force you to use more expensive ship services
• Required minimum guest counts for private venues
• Additional charges for ceremony music, extended photography, and videography
• Potential port fees or transportation costs for off-ship ceremonies
Destination Resort Wedding Hidden Expenses
• Marriage license fees that vary by country
• Vendor travel fees if you bring professionals from home
• Required room block commitments that you may be responsible for if unfilled
• Resort fees for guests not staying at the property who attend your wedding
• Currency exchange considerations in international destinations
6. Assess The Guest Experience For Both Options
Your wedding is not just about you—it’s also about creating a memorable experience for your loved ones who travel to celebrate with you.
Cruise Wedding Guest Experience
For a cruise wedding, guests must commit to the entire cruise itinerary. This means they’ll need to embark from a specific port on a set date and stay for the duration of the sailing. While this creates a shared vacation experience, it requires a significant time and financial commitment that might deter some guests from attending.
Once onboard, guests enjoy the convenience of having accommodations, dining, and entertainment all in one place. However, cabin sizes are typically smaller than hotel rooms, and amenities may be more limited than at a luxury resort.
Destination Resort Guest Experience
Resort weddings offer guests more flexibility. They can choose their arrival and departure dates, potentially staying for just a portion of the celebration if their schedule or budget requires it. This flexibility often results in higher attendance rates.
Resorts typically offer a variety of accommodation options, from standard rooms to luxury suites, allowing guests to select what works best for their budget. The amenities at high-end resorts—like 24-hour room service, multiple pools, and spa services—can enhance the overall experience for your guests.
7. Explore The Customization Options For Your Vision
How much you want to personalize your wedding should heavily influence your venue choice.
Cruise Wedding Customization Limitations
Cruise weddings often come with predetermined packages that limit your ability to customize certain elements. Most cruise lines restrict outside vendors, meaning you’ll need to use their photographers, florists, and musicians. Décor options may be limited to what the ship already offers.
This arrangement works well if you prefer a streamlined planning process with fewer decisions. However, if you’ve dreamed of specific details or want to work with particular vendors, you might find these restrictions challenging.
Destination Resort Customization Possibilities
Resorts typically offer more flexibility for personalization. You can often bring in outside vendors or choose from a wider selection of the resort’s preferred partners. Many resorts provide various ceremony locations within their property, allowing you to select the perfect backdrop for your style.
This flexibility extends to reception options, where you might have more control over menu selections, entertainment choices, and décor elements. If creating a unique, personalized celebration is important to you, a resort wedding likely offers more opportunities to realize your vision.
8. Match Your Wedding Style To The Right Venue
Different wedding styles naturally align better with certain venues.
Cruise Weddings Work Best For:
• Couples who value convenience and minimal planning stress
• Those who love the idea of visiting multiple destinations during their celebration
• Smaller, more intimate guest lists (typically 20-50 people)
• Couples who want their honeymoon seamlessly connected to their wedding
• Those who appreciate a more structured, package-based approach
Destination Resort Weddings Work Best For:
• Couples seeking maximum customization and control over details
• Those who want to immerse in a single beautiful location
• Larger guest lists (resorts can often accommodate 100+ guests more comfortably)
• Couples who want flexibility with their celebration timeline
• Those who value having multiple event spaces for welcome parties, rehearsal dinners, and post-wedding brunches
Closing Thoughts:
Both cruise ship weddings and destination resort weddings offer magical settings for your special day, but they cater to different priorities and preferences. A cruise wedding might be perfect if you value convenience, built-in honeymoon options, and potentially lower costs. A resort wedding could be ideal if you prioritize customization, guest flexibility, and immersion in a single beautiful location.
The perfect choice depends on what matters most to you as a couple. Consider your vision, budget, and the experience you want to create not just for yourselves but for the loved ones who will travel to celebrate with you. With careful planning and the right expectations, either option can provide the unforgettable wedding experience you’ve been dreaming of.
