*Photo via Savannah River Boat
Do you dream of setting sail and getting married off the shore? Then a boat wedding may be the best option for you! Of course, there are some benefits to having a boat wedding…as well as some drawbacks. Here are a few of the pros and cons you should consider before committing to hosting your nuptials on a boat.
The Pros of a Boat Wedding
- Unique Location and Experience: Of course, one of the biggest benefits of a boat wedding is the unique experience. Just the simple act of being on a boat serves as entertainment for the guests, and you’ll have a chance to get some gorgeous photographs.
- Wedding Packages: Many boat venues have wedding packages available. Depending on the exact company you go with, wedding rentals, catering, bar services, and more may already be taken care of. This means the entire planning process can be much more streamlined – which means less stress for you!
- Affordability: This may seem surprising, but boat weddings can actually be more affordable than weddings on land! This is particularly true when you use an all-inclusive package.
- Single Venue for Everything: While some couples may choose to have a separate venue for the ceremony and reception, many will choose to have all of the festivities on the boat to get the most out of the experience. This means you won’t need to worry about transportation from one venue to the next.
The Cons of a Boat Wedding
- Seasick Guests: There is always the risk that one of your guests might not do too well while out on the water. You’ll need to do what you can to make sure any guests that become sick are taken care of. This may mean having some Dramamine, crackers, ginger ale, and motion sickness bracelets on board. You’ll also need ample seating so that guests can sit down and rest if needed.
- Space and Guest Limitations: There is no wiggle room when it comes to the number of people you can have on a boat. When you’re creating your guest list, you might need to make some tough decisions in order to ensure you aren’t going over capacity.
- Photography Obstacles: Of course, you can get some really gorgeous and unique shots out on the boat. However, the fact that you are working with limited space may make it harder to take some photos, especially when it comes to larger group photos. You may need to make a plan with your photographer to take some photos on the dock so that you can get all the shots on your shot list.
- Strict On-Board Rules: There are typically more rules on boats than you’d find in normal venues. For starters, punctuality is crucial – guests need to be at the boat on time, or they might miss departure! There may also be other restrictions, such as no open-flames or limitations on the decor you can use.
- Legality of Marriage: There is a good chance you won’t actually be able to get legally married out on the open water, so you should check your area’s laws to see what needs to be done to make your marriage legal. For some couples, this might not be a big deal – your boat wedding can be symbolic, and you can head to a courthouse before or after your celebration to actually make everything official. Of course, this is just one more task to add to the wedding planning docket.
- Accessibility: This won’t be an issue with all boats, but you’ll need to ensure any guests with mobility limitations are able to easily get on the boat and move around without issue.
If you are in the process of planning your wedding, come to the next Georgia Bridal Show near you. You will have the chance to meet with professional wedding vendors of all talents who can help bring your vision to life!
Georgia wedding vendors, as well as other wedding professionals across the Southeast, can contact us about opportunities for exhibition and online marketing with Georgia Bridal Show.