Are you envisioning a wedding that transcends the ordinary, weaving together the elegance of an exclusive venue with the breathtaking allure of the open waters? Look no further than City Cruises, where your dream of an extraordinary yacht wedding can become a reality. With 16 ports across the United States, we offer an unparalleled wedding experience that merges luxury, convenience, and sheer natural beauty, culminating in what is surely to be the best day of your life.

Cities That Can Host a Yacht Wedding with City Cruises

You know what they say, it’s all about location, location, location! City Cruises spans 16 ports in the US, ensuring your dream waterfront wedding can be realized in some of the most iconic cities, whether you live locally or are planning a destination wedding:

• Baltimore
• Berkeley
• Boston
• Chicago
• Washington DC
• Alexandria
• New York City
• Weehawken
• Philadelphia
• San Diego
• Newport Beach
• Long Beach
• Marina del Rey
• San Francisco
• Norfolk

Each of these cities boasts its very own distinct charm and picturesque skyline, providing a stunning setting for your yacht wedding with City Cruises.

Cruise Wedding Packages — An Overview

At City Cruises, we take pride in crafting a wedding experience entirely customized to suit your desires. Every element of your celebration is tailored to your preferences, ensuring an unforgettable occasion. From the crucial choices of selecting your preferred date, time, and meal options — ranging from delicious brunches, lunches, and dinners — to curating the perfect drink package, whether you’re hosting a dry wedding, offering drink tickets for variety, or an open bar for a no-limits celebration, each detail is designed to align seamlessly with your vision.

We also understand that entertainment is key to keeping the festivities vibrant. Therefore, our packages include a professional DJ who will learn your taste and set the perfect beats and vibes for your day. The inclusion of dance floors allows you and your guests to revel in joyous moments amidst the stunning backdrop of panoramic city views.

To ensure a flawless and stress-free celebration, we provide an invaluable addition to our packages — a dedicated event coordinator who works tirelessly behind the scenes, orchestrating every detail to perfection, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the joyous moments of your celebration. After all, planning a wedding is a lot like having a second job – a job where you learn as you go. Hundreds of little pieces need to somehow come together in a matter of months, with a strict deadline and budget. At the end of the day, take a breath and remember the “why” behind it all. It’s about you and the person you love. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

Things to Factor When Creating a Wedding Budget

Your budget sets the stage for every part of your wedding. When it comes time to sit down and crunch the numbers, consider these three things:

1. Determine Who is Contributing and How Much

If you have loved ones who are offering to help cover the wedding, find out how much they’re planning to spend. This goes for specifics too. If someone has offered to cover food, don’t surprise them with a bill for a four-course seated dinner after the wedding. Don’t find yourself falling in love with something you can’t afford. Get every number up front and work within your means. Consider using a wedding budget tracker to keep on track.

2. Pick Your Priorities

When it comes to your wedding, what’s the most important thing to you? Maybe you have a dream venue that you’re willing to splurge on. Or maybe you want to invest in a great photographer or videographer, so you’re willing to spend less on food. Also, what doesn’t matter to you? Are you not as concerned about having centerpieces or a live band? Knowing what matters most to you — and what you might be willing to spend more money on — will help you customize your budget to fit your needs. Don’t hesitate to choose what’s right for you – no matter what a wedding checklist, your maid of honor, or your social media feed might say.

3. Add Padding for Unseen and Unexpected Costs

No matter how much you plan or how much research you do, there will always be surprises. Our wedding planners recommend setting aside a small portion of your budget for any emergencies. This way you won’t have to scramble to find money if something happens.

Setting Your Wedding Guest List

Another factor that can have a huge impact on your budget is your guest list! A common thing our wedding planners hear is how many couples are surprised by everything they must factor in when making their guest list. If you have been dreaming of a certain wedding venue, you’ll be limited by how many people it can accommodate. If your family is insisting on certain invites, that will increase the guest list. Do your guests have kids? Is it a kid-friendly wedding? Will you allow anyone to have a plus one? Would you rather have quality time with every guest of a big celebration knowing you might only see people for a few minutes?

It’s important to answer these questions as you’re making your guest list. We recommend starting with a “must have” invite list. If your family members do have people they want to invite, consider giving them a limited number of invites. If you already know you want to have an intimate wedding, consider limiting plus-ones or children under a certain age. Our wedding planners have worked with several couples who hire a babysitter or two at the hotel during the wedding.

Best Time to Get Married on a Cruise

City Cruises offers weddings year-round, ensuring a perfect setting for your special day, no matter the season. Whether you prefer:

• Spring and Summer Splendor: These seasons bring delightful weather, ideal for a romantic ceremony on the water. With comfortable temperatures and longer daylight hours, spring and summer weddings offer an enchanting atmosphere for your celebration.
• Fall Charm: Embrace the beauty of changing colors and a cozy ambiance. Fall weddings provide a stunning backdrop with their golden hues, creating a uniquely elegant experience.
• Winter Magic: Contrary to expectations, winter weddings aboard our climate-controlled vessels are warm and intimate. Whether a snowy evening ceremony or even a dazzling New Year’s Eve celebration, surrounded by city lights, it’s a magical experience.

Regardless of the season, our climate-controlled vessels ensure a comfortable environment for you and your guests, allowing for an unforgettable celebration on the water, year-round.

What Wedding-Related Events Can I Have on a Yacht?

City Cruises offers a diverse range of wedding-related events, ensuring a memorable experience on the water. We cater to ceremonies, receptions, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, and more. Our customizable approach allows us to tailor each event to suit specific needs and sizes. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, our options range from booking a private deck to renting out the entire yacht.

From a cozy 30-guest rehearsal dinner to a lavish 500-person wedding, envision your personalized happily ever after fairy tale ending on a luxurious yacht with a breathtaking backdrop. At City Cruises, we strive to create the perfect setting for your wedding-related event, ensuring an unforgettable experience that reflects your unique style and vision. Don’t take our word for it? The Knot lists “nautical nuptials” as one of the biggest wedding trends for 2024!

How to Select the Right Wedding Package

Choosing the ideal wedding package is crucial for your special day. Luckily with City Cruises, it’s less about choosing a package and more about customizing one to fit you. At City Cruises, our customizable packages are tailored to fit your preferences and budget. We offer a variety of options to personalize your experience. Tailored offerings allow you to customize every detail, from diverse chef-designed menus to comprehensive bar service options, ensuring a delightful experience for you and your guests. We also cater to different party sizes and styles, ensuring your celebration is personalized to reflect your unique vision.

Our dedicated team is committed to making your wedding unforgettable. This is why we recommend a consultation and booking with our specialists to craft an extraordinary celebration tailored just for you. Let us assist in creating an unforgettable wedding experience as you embark on your love.

When Should I Book My Wedding Venue

Securing your preferred date for a waterfront wedding is essential due to our venues’ popularity. We highly recommend booking as early as you can to ensure your desired date on the water.

Make a Yacht Wedding Checklist

At this stage, even with all the excitement, you might feel a little overwhelmed, especially by all the choices. One way to help keep stress levels down is by staying organized. This is the time you’ll want to make a wedding planning timeline and make sure you have a wedding checklist, or notebook/binder to keep you on track. It might seem like a simple thing to do but being organized can save you a lot of trouble, stress, time, and money.

Book Your Wedding with City Cruises Today!

Whether you’re considering hosting an intimate engagement party, luxurious bridal shower, or grand wedding reception celebration, we encourage you to contact us at your earliest convenience. All you have to do is fill out this form, and our team will guide you through the available options, assist in selecting the perfect package for your event, and ensure that every detail is exceptional for you and your guests.

At City Cruises, we pride ourselves on creating moments that last a lifetime. Let us sail into forever with you as you embark on this extraordinary journey of love.

Original Post Date: December 6, 2023