Whether you want to sail to the Caribbean or take a cruise to nowhere, getting married on a cruise ship gives you an opportunity to savor the celebration and give your guests a good excuse to take a vacation.

Valerie Brizuela Mahon, director of sales and marketing at the Wedding Experience, wedding planners for most of the major cruise lines (theweddingexperience.com), says that cruise ship weddings are gaining popularity in New York and New Jersey as couples realize the affordability and myriad benefits to getting married aboard a cruise ship. She shared with us some of the major reasons why cruise ship weddings are a growing trend:

Flexible budgeting is a big attraction as couples seek creative ways to cut costs without comprising memory making. Couples can choose a simple island or shipboard ceremony, or can choose a “embarkation-day wedding,” in which the couple gets married before the ship sets sail and the guests do not travel with them, or they can choose to bring their friends and family with them and get married later in the cruise.

Mahon says that she sees couples bringing along about fifteen to thirty-five guests on board ships for destination weddings where the couple gets married at the port of call. While many couples pay for the ceremony and guests pay for their own travel expense, some couples pay for the whole guest list to enjoy their happily ever after cruise.

A four-day affair, as opposed to four hours of celebration and togetherness, can be enjoyed. You’ve galvanized the troops and assembled all the most important people in your lives. Why just spend a few rushed hours together when you can hang out for a few days in the sun and relish relaxed time together? In today's hectic world, who would pass up an opportunity to pause and spend a few days celebrating with good friends? Cruise ships are set up to entertain guests for endless hours. Whether your guests like to lounge at the pool, work out, gamble, see a show or enjoy fine dine, there is built-in entertainment on board. No need to choreograph activities or limit your choices, ship to shore your guests will be entertained. All you need to do is relax and enjoy. Cruise control....quite a nice way to begin a life together!