Why Couples Choose to Get Married on a Cruise

A cruise wedding isn’t just about location. It’s about how the entire experience feels effortless. And, once you’re on board, everything is taken care of:

• Accommodation
• Dining
• Entertainment
• Travel between breathtaking destinations
• And the wedding itself – You kiss, celebrate, toast, and there is no post-wedding comedown
• There’s no juggling hotels, taxis, restaurants, and venues. Everything flows naturally.
• Often, Cruises are more cost-effective than land-based destination weddings because accommodation, food, entertainment, and travel are already bundled. Many couples find that Cruise Weddings offer extraordinary value, with far more included than at a traditional overseas venue.

One wedding. Several countries. Countless backdrops.

Please use the reference to get really looked after, “Elopements at Sea”

Legal and Financial Protection

To deliver your wedding safely and legally:
E-Lope works exclusively with ATOL & ABTA protected travel partners, award-winning Personal Travel Consultant
Honeymoon and Multi-destination specialist Clare Lake – Personal Travel Consultant, Elite Travel Studio and P&O Cruises
Unless you are having a symbolic luxury ceremony, you’ll complete your marriage application in advance to ensure your licence is granted in time
If either partner has been married before, you’ll need:
– Final divorce decree or death certificate
– Deed poll if applicable
– All documents in English or officially translated
– Your balance and any excursions are finalised before paperwork is drawn up, so everything is smooth and secure.

What Do We Need From You to Begin?

Share your vision with us:
– Where would you like to travel to? When would you like to travel?
– How many guests (if any) will join you?
– Will any of your guests act as witnesses?
– And most importantly, do you want your wedding to be a

What Happens Next?
Once we receive your details:
– Sam and our trusted travel partners begin building your experience
– We recommend destinations, ships, and we create a personalised proposal including:
– Ceremony options
– Travel logistics
– And guest coordination

Once you say yes:

• We secure your date
• Lock in your team
• And manage every moving part so your wedding unfolds effortlessly, wherever your love story takes you in the world.

CRUISE WEDDINGS FAQ

Is the marriage legal?

Yes, cruise and destination weddings can be conducted legally. However, some couples choose to complete the legal paperwork at home and have a symbolic ceremony abroad. Team E-Lope and our trusted travel partners can advise you on the best option for your situation. If your ceremony is legally binding, you may need:

• Valid photo ID
• Birth certificates
• And, if previously married: Final divorce decree, or a death certificate, Deed poll if applicable

All documents must be:
In English or officially translated

Our partners and we will guide you through this step-by-step.

Can we bring guests?

Yes. Cruise weddings work beautifully for:

• Just the two of you
• Or a small group of family & friends. Guests can either join the whole cruise or sail for the wedding segment, depending on the cruise line’s rules and ports.

Do we need witnesses?

If you don’t bring witnesses, the dedicated Cruise Ceremonies team will provide them for you.

Who conducts the ceremony?

• Onboard ceremonies: Often conducted by the ship’s Captain or deputy, subject to availability and maritime law.
• Ashore: moments during the cruise: Conducted by a licensed officiant where required.

When during the cruise does the wedding happen?

Your ceremony or blessing can take place:

• On a sea day
• On the first sailing evening
• At sunset mid-journey
• Or during a port stop with a private shore moment

You are already in honeymoon mode, so your wedding becomes a natural, beautiful part of the voyage, not a rushed “event”.

What about photography?

Most cruise wedding packages already include a professional photographer, but you can extend onboard coverage.

Is a cruise elopement expensive?

Cruise weddings are often more cost-effective than land-based destination weddings because accommodation, dining, travel and entertainment are already bundled together.

If we choose a cruise Elopement, is our money protected?

Yes. All bookings are made through ATOL and ABTA-protected travel partners, giving you full financial security.
Areas covered:

• Your cruise
• Wedding coordination
• And associated travel components

Meet Clare – Destination Weddings & Honeymoons

Clare is an award-winning travel specialist. She curates destination weddings and honeymoons with one clear focus: to give you complete confidence in every detail, so you can simply enjoy what matters most.

From barefoot ceremonies on quiet beaches to intimate villa weddings and boutique resort celebrations, Clare has guided couples through every style of destination “I do.” She knows which venues handle logistics seamlessly, which suppliers work discreetly and reliably, and how to shape travel plans that feel effortless rather than over-engineered.

What truly sets Clare apart is her ability to look beyond the checklist. She understands what makes a ceremony feel deeply personal, and what transforms a honeymoon from a trip into a genuine pause from everyday life. Clare’s approach is built on clarity, integrity and experience. She will guide you through legal requirements, travel arrangements, accommodation and timings with absolute transparency, no uncertainty, no hidden costs, and no guesswork. Then on your wedding day or honeymoon, the result is simple: you feel present, calm and completely at ease in the experience you’ve chosen.

If that’s the way you want your destination wedding or honeymoon to feel, Clare would love to support you.

Clare Lake ttgluxury Travel Awards 2025. Clare is partnered with the award-winning Blue Bay Travel and is fully ABTA and ATOl bonded for your financial protection.

IS A CRUISE WEDDING RIGHT FOR US?” CHECKLIST

Tick yes to most of these, and a cruise wedding is likely perfect for you:

• We want something different
• Five-star calm
• We love the idea of travelling as part of our wedding
• We want our honeymoon to begin immediately
• We don’t want to move between multiple hotels, but we like the idea of more than one destination
• We want a barefoot ceremony with white sand, palm trees and turquoise water
• We don’t want a big guest list
• We value experiences more than display.

If that list made your chest feel lighter, all you have to do is arrive, and our travel partners handle the rest: Ceremony, flowers, cake, photos, Champagne, then you’re in the right place! Your only job is to fall in love all over again.