Reception Style: Boat Receptions

Setting Sail: Boat Receptions

Karen's mother was dead-set against her daughter's wedding reception being held on a boat. The woman was not merely concerned, she was not simply unhappy-she thought it was a terrible idea. "All her friends' daughters had had beautiful wedding receptions at traditional places, like hotels, country clubs, and banquet facilities," Karen explains, "and she wanted me to have a similar event. Also, she was afraid it would rain. She was afraid the wedding party would get seasick. She was afraid there would be sharks! Luckily for us, my father thought the boat was a great idea, and he managed to talk her into accepting it."

The day of Karen's wedding dawned sunny and pleasant. Karen's mother boarded the yacht with a face set in grim displeasure, shaky on the high heels Karen had advised her not to wear. Four hours later, when the boat returned to the pier, the woman was in a very different mood. "She had taken off her shoes," Karen remembers, "and she was taking all the credit for having chosen a boat for the wedding reception-which was fine with me." Now, two years after Karen's wedding, her parents are planning a 30th wedding anniversary celebration-on the very same boat.

Karen believes her mother enjoyed the nautical celebration so much for a variety of reasons. "As soon as she climbed on board," Karen says, "all of her fears were laid to rest. There was no rain-and even if there had been, there was a ballroom below the deck that was just as nice as many of the traditional facilities we had visited. She realized that the deck was large and heavy enough so that no one was going to get seasick, and that even if there were sharks, they didn't pose much of a threat."

Of course, there is also the undeniable romance of a party that takes place on the water. When the boat pulls away from the dock, the wedding celebration is on its own private island. The scenery is terrific, and the cruise itself is exciting. Even a landlubber like Karen's mom could not resist such charms.

Considering a boat reception? Begin your plans by arranging to visit several different yachts and charter companies. Like traditional reception sites, boats have a variety of personalities, and no two are exactly the same. There are very modern, luxurious cruise ships that offer a sophisticated, streamlined atmosphere. And there are also historic restored riverboats and paddle wheel-powered vessels for nostalgic celebrations. For relatively small wedding receptions-and for brides and grooms who share a true sense of adventure-there are even clipper ships for a wedding celebration on a boat that actually sails.

Naturally, there are practical details to consider when hosting a wedding reception on a boat. Guests should be aware that the party will be on a boat so that they can prepare themselves by bringing along a jacket (the air is much cooler offshore), their sunglasses and shady hats, and by wearing comfortable shoes. On even the very largest cruise ships, shoes with heels are probably not the best footwear for the bride or her guests. If you feel that you must wear heels for your walk down the aisle, be sure to bring along a flat pair of shoes for the reception and dancing-ballet slippers are a great choice.

The food on the larger boats is usually similar to that of a hotel ballroom or banquet hall. Brides are usually offered several wedding packages from which to choose; they may include entertainment, flowers, and a wedding cake, as well as food and beverages. On the very smallest boats, kitchen facilities will consist of only a small galley, so food must be brought on board already prepared, which means that simple hors d'oeuvres or picnic-style fare is the best option. Some couples choose to highlight the nautical atmosphere by serving a seafood buffet, including a raw bar, of course.

Boats naturally suggest a nautical theme to the bride and groom, some of whom decide to weave the theme throughout all of the wedding details. You might let guests know from the instant they open their invitations that the wedding will be a special one by edging the invitations with gold anchors and printing the type in navy blue ink. Instead of sugar flowers on the wedding cake, ask if your baker can design sugar seashells. And choose favors that also reflect the nautical theme: Present each guest with a box of four perfect chocolate shells, a tiny ship in a bottle, or even a rubber duck.