Take the Plunge! Get married on a cruise Ship!

For those looking for a little something different in a wedding, getting married on a cruise often seems like a good idea. It is, but there are some things you need to know.

There is little doubt that getting married is simultaneously the greatest and most stressful event most couples will embark on. More and more these days, couples are looking for options that present less stress. One such option is wrapping all of the marriage festivities in one package. In this case, we are talking about tying the knot on a cruise.

One of the first things you'll have to decide is whether you want to get married on board the ship or at a port. Not all cruise lines offer weddings on board. In fact, most of them recommend that you get married at port in your home country.

Holland America cruise ships do allow you to get married on the ship. Most of the individual ships do have wedding chapels on board, but you must get married while the ship is docked at its port of origin. It is just one of those legal things. Celebrity cruises also offer many different wedding packages, but you may not get married at sea. Again, you must choose one of the designated ports of call for your wedding ceremony location.

The only cruise line that allows you to actually get married while on the ship at sea is the Princess cruise line. The captains aboard these ships are legally permitted to perform weddings under the legal authority of Bermuda, the port of origin for the cruise line. Any of the major cruise lines, however, would be happy to help you arrange a wedding that revolves around your cruise, and most of the cruise ship companies offer wedding planners at the various ports they land at.

The most popular option is just to get married on land and spend the rest of the time at sea. One way to be sure you'll be able to afford this sort of option is to set up a cruise registry. This is similar to a gift registry, except wedding guests put money into a special account just for your cruise, instead of buying gifts. This way, the cost of your trip can be greatly reduced – perfect for the couple that would rather have a trip than household appliances.

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Richard_Rspad

Honeymoon Destinations in the United States

Staying inside the United States is perfect for those just-marrieds, short on time and money and for those with a dislike for airline food who want to splurge on the royal treatment. Start your domestic life with a domestic honeymoon trip, where passports and immunization shots are unnecessary and the scenery seems both familiar and unreal.

San Francisco is one of the most romantic cities in the world located in Northern California. Full of such recognizable icons as cable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard Street, the “crookedest street in the world,” San Francisco is more of a collage than city, where you must breath in the entire area to truly experience its unique splendor.

If your looking for more sophisticated, try Napa Valley. Napa Valley offers the best ingredients for romance—lush, rolling hills, secluded B&Bs, world-class spas and wineries to tour and toast your new union. Known as Wine Country, Napa is the worlds most densely concentrated wine region with 270 wineries along a 28-mile stretch of breathtaking scenery, offering everything you’ll need for a honeymoon vacation to savor.

Las Vegas is a great place to elope, but also a wonderful honeymoon haven for the couple that wants to cruise the strip, place their bets and catch a show. Check out the new, extravagant resort casinos like the Bellagio, the Venetian and Mandalay Bay, where you can soak up the sun during the day, shop and gamble all night long!

Romance and paradise go hand-in-hand for couples in Hawaii. Start with a moonlit walk on the beach where only palm trees hear your whispers. Enjoy clear ocean views from the balcony of your suite and leisurely horseback rides in the surf. Hawaii is the number one dream destination for honeymoons in the world. Anytime of the year is a perfect time for a romantic honeymoon in Hawaii.

If interested in a Honeymoon Destination in the United States, call Travel Leaders of Fargo at 1-800-999-3688

Why a Destination Wedding?
Destination weddings are becoming increasingly popular, especially among those who enjoy traveling. In the United States there are 360,000 destination weddings or more per year, with a prediction of a 20 percent increase in the next 15 years. Couples who choose a destination wedding generally do so because of the following reasons:

* The couple wants to do something different and personal.
* The couple is paying for the wedding themselves and would like to save money.
* Many resorts and destination wedding locations offer lower rates to destination wedding groups.
* Couples will spend on average 41% less on a destination wedding compared to a traditional wedding in their hometown.
* Wedding packages can be customized and can be all-inclusive.
* When engaged couples are from different areas of the country it becomes difficult to decide where to hold a wedding.
* With destination weddings, both families are in neutral territory. Everyone has to travel and is therefore on common ground.
* The couple desires a carefree event.
* The couple is renewing vows or are getting married for a second time.
* All attendees have the opportunity to spend quality time together, while taking a vacation.

“A destination wedding is a great way to get your closest family and friends together and minimize the usual stress of a traditional wedding. With the help of your travel agent and wedding coordinator at a resort of your choice, not only will you spend less than you would on a traditional wedding, you will have the beauty of your chosen destination for your wedding photos, plenty of activities or relaxation for yourself and guests, and a honeymoon all in one!”

Katie, Travel Leaders Fargo Wedding Destination Specialist