Destination Wedding vs Cruise Wedding: How to Choose the Perfect Experience
Planning a wedding away from home is exciting—but deciding between an all-inclusive resort wedding and a cruise wedding can be tricky. Both offer stunning backdrops, built-in guest experiences, and the chance to combine your big day with what I call a “wedcation”! However, the expertise, flexibility, and even the legal requirements can vary significantly. If you’re dreaming of exchanging vows somewhere extraordinary, understanding the differences between hosting your destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort or on a cruise is the first step to making your choice. In this post, we’ll walk through how an all-inclusive destination wedding works, what to expect from a cruise wedding, and how the two compare in terms of cost, convenience, and guest experience—so you can decide which is better for you: a cruise wedding or a destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort!
All-Inclusive Destination Weddings: Relaxation Meets Celebration
An all-inclusive resort wedding is often what couples picture when they think “destination wedding.” Imagine arriving at a gorgeous beachfront property where every detail—from your ceremony location to the food and drinks—is taken care of in one place. These weddings are hosted at resorts that package together your lodging, meals, beverages, activities, and wedding services for one upfront price, making budgeting much easier.
Why Couples Love It
One of the biggest perks of an all-inclusive wedding is simplicity. Your guests book their stay, and once they arrive, everything they need is on-site. No one has to worry about finding restaurants, arranging transportation, or managing multiple invoices—your resort handles it all.
Customization is also a significant draw. Many resorts offer multiple ceremony venues (beachfront, garden, rooftop, overwater pier) and a choice of décor, menus, and entertainment options. You can work with a dedicated wedding coordinator to tailor the experience to your vision, whether that means a barefoot sunset ceremony or a glamorous ballroom reception.
Group perks are another bonus. When you book a certain number of rooms for your guests, many resorts offer complimentary room upgrades, free nights for the couple, or even complimentary events, such as a welcome cocktail party or farewell brunch.
Potential Challenges
While all-inclusive resorts offer a lot of control, your experience can vary depending on the size of the property. Larger resorts can feel crowded, with multiple weddings taking place in a single day. Smaller resorts may be more intimate but offer fewer venue choices.
Additionally, your guest list will be limited to those who can travel to your chosen destination and afford the stay. For most couples, this isn’t a dealbreaker—especially since many guests see it as a built-in vacation—but it’s worth considering if you have older relatives, friends with young kids, or guests with limited vacation time.
Learn More: How to Choose a Resort For Your Destination Wedding
Cruise Weddings: Adventure and Variety in One Package
A cruise wedding blends the excitement of travel with the convenience of a floating resort. Your celebration happens either onboard the ship or in one of the ports along your itinerary, with your honeymoon starting the moment you set sail.
Three Main Ways to Get Married on a Cruise
- Onboard While in Port (Before Departure)
Some couples choose to have their wedding on the ship before it leaves its home port. This allows guests who aren’t joining the cruise to attend the ceremony and reception still, making it more accessible for local friends and family. The trade-off? The schedule can be tight, with a morning ceremony and reception preceding the ship’s departure. You’ll also be sharing the day with regular boarding activity, which can make the atmosphere more hectic than serene. - At Sea
Many cruise lines offer ceremonies conducted by the ship’s captain or an onboard officiant while the ship is sailing. This can be a romantic choice—imagine exchanging vows in a private lounge with panoramic ocean views. However, legalities can be tricky. Marriages performed at sea often require obtaining a marriage license from a specific country (such as the Bahamas), which can involve extra paperwork. For this reason, some couples opt for a symbolic ceremony on board and complete the legal paperwork at home. - In a Port of Call
Another option is to plan your wedding in one of the ports you visit, such as a Caribbean beach, European city, or Alaskan harbor. This can give you a destination wedding vibe with the added fun of a cruise vacation. The main risk is that cruise itineraries can change—weather or operational issues may mean your ship skips or shortens its time in port, potentially disrupting your wedding plans.
Why Couples Love It
Cruise weddings are ideal for couples who want variety and built-in adventure. Guests can enjoy multiple destinations during one trip, onboard entertainment, and the novelty of waking up in a new place each day. Cruise lines also offer packages that include a ceremony venue, officiant, flowers, music, cake, and even photography, making planning more streamlined.
Cruises can be surprisingly cost-effective compared to some land-based weddings—especially if your guest list is small. Since your travel and honeymoon are bundled into one trip, it can be an efficient use of both time and budget.
Group Perks for Cruise Weddings
If you have a larger group sailing with you—often as few as eight staterooms booked—you may qualify for group booking perks. Depending on the cruise line and sailing, these can include:
- Onboard credit for you and your guests
- Complimentary cocktail receptions or private spaces for events
- Reduced deposits or special group rates
- Priority boarding for your wedding party
- Complimentary upgrades or amenities for the couple
These bonuses are on top of the wedding package you select, which can make a cruise wedding even more appealing for couples with a traveling crowd.
Potential Challenges
The legal requirements for marrying at sea or in specific ports can be complex. Cruise weddings also have more moving parts than resort weddings, with multiple locations and schedules to coordinate. Reception options may be more limited unless you book additional venues or private dining on the ship.
Finally, if your heart is set on a specific location or time of day for your wedding photos, you’ll need to work within the cruise schedule and potential weather changes.
Cost Snapshot
While costs vary widely, here’s a general idea:
- All-inclusive weddings at popular Caribbean resorts might start around $5,000–$8,000 for a guest list of 20–30, including ceremony, reception, and perks from group bookings.
- Cruise weddings can range from $3,000–$6,000 for similar guest counts, but reception options and extras can add up quickly. On the flip side, you can find smaller, more basic packages for under $1,000—especially for symbolic ceremonies.
How They Compare: All-Inclusive vs. Cruise Weddings
| Feature | All-Inclusive Wedding | Cruise Wedding |
| Venue Variety | Multiple resort venues, beach, garden, rooftop | Ship lounges, decks, or port destinations |
| Guest Accessibility | Guests must travel to one location and stay at the resort | Guests can attend onboard in home port without sailing |
| Planning Simplicity | One venue for lodging, dining, and events | Multiple locations and schedules to coordinate |
| Customization | Highly customizable décor, menus, and events | Set packages, some customization |
| Legal Requirements | Local marriage license in destination | May require license from ship’s registry country |
| Weather Risks | Mostly predictable, unless outdoors | Potential itinerary changes affecting port weddings |
| Cost Efficiency | Bundled services, group perks | Bundled travel + wedding, potential savings for small groups |
From beachside vows to ceremonies at sea, your dream destination wedding is within reach. The key is choosing the setting that best matches your personality, guest needs, and vision for the day.
When you’re ready, let’s talk through your vision. I’ll give you the same honest advice I give my own friends (and I’ll tell you what I’d pick for myself, too).
I still have a few openings this month, so feel free to schedule a complimentary 30-minute destination wedding strategy session with me today. Schedule Right Here!
