More Details

We're getting close to our "45-day before departure" deadline when all of our details need to be planned and paid for with the cruise line.

I worked with the wedding coordinator yesterday on the following details:

Ceremony - We requested a 2pm ceremony time, we'll find out soon whether that is possible. We finally decided to go with the garden terrace location. It's at Blackbeard's Castle. (Click the link for some photos).

Reception - We will be having an hors d'oeuvres reception back on the ship. That will be approximately 3:30-4:30 and will include cake. For those guests on the cruise, we've arranged dinner reservations at the Italian restaurant on board (Sabitini's) at 6pm. We'll probably hang out in a lounge from 4:30 to 6:00 or you can, of course, do your own thing.

"Rehearsal Dinner" - Not really a rehearsal, but we've requested dinner reservations for the group for Sterling Steakhouse on Wednesday evening (night before the wedding).

Photography - We decided to skip the extra expense of a ship photographer. The photographers normally come around taking pictures at dinner anyway so we can get a group shot at dinner that way. There are also several nights when they do portraits around the ship, so we'll cross our fingers that Thursday is one of those nights and get a picture that way as well. We'll just take our own snapshots at the hors d'oeuvres reception.

Flowers - I found an acceptable/affordable bouquet for Roberta. I ended up sending in a picture and getting a quote. Yay!

Spa - I requested a hair appointment for myself for the morning of the wedding. If anyone else is interested in having their hair done, let me know and I believe we can get it arranged ahead of time. (There are some spa appointments that can be arranged in the Cruise Personalizer, but hair is not one of them).

As for non-cruise line items:

Shoes - I've really been struggling to find some shoes, but I did order some yesterday and I'm hoping they will work out. I have to have them before my dress fitting, which I just scheduled for 12/30 (the latest possible appointment in order to get my dress back by 2/2).

Gary's Attire - Still no luck finding what we have in mind... we're a little out of season for what we really wanted. I found a possibility on Monday, so I need to take him to see that.

Shore Excursions - I sent everyone a list of some possible group excursions that we could do in St. Maarten... just waiting to hear back from everyone.

I think that's it for now.