It’s the wedding season, and future brides-to-be are bound to be keeping a close eye on this season’s ceremonies, hoping to pick up some tips for their own special day.

A growing number of couples wanting a wedding with a difference are choosing to tie the knot at sea, finding that matrimony aboard a cruise ship provides the perfect combination of wedding, honeymoon and romantic setting rolled into one.

P&O Cruises offer a wedding planning service for ceremonies aboard their fleet, and even provide an on-board wedding co-ordinator to help with the planning and the big day itself, ensuring that everything runs smoothly. The bride and groom qualify for an additional 5kg luggage allowance each if travelling to the ship on a P&O Cruises charter flight , and the planner can arrange for bridal outfits to be pressed and prepared prior to the ceremony once on board.

Family and friends, if invited along, will benefit from an additional price 5% saving if there are ten or more in the party, and with P&O’s pre-cruise service, invitations can be delivered to home addresses prior to cruise departure if desired.

You’ll know you’ve started your wedding cruise when you’re greeted by the glorious sight of champagne and flowers in your cabin, marking the start of the voyage that will change your status forever. The ceremony itself takes place in a private venue bedecked with beautiful fresh flower arrangements and officiated over by the Captain. Wedding couples can personalise the occasion with their own choice of wedding music to make it a truly memorable day.

Each ship within the P&O fleet has it’s own unique personality, and whether it be classic and traditional or contemporary and cutting edge, there is bound to be a ‘perfect’ ship for every couple. Weddings aboard the stylish and child-free Arcadia can take place in the restful 25-seater Viceroy Room on the Sun deck, or alternatively in the Retreat, which is slightly larger and benefits from a light and airy feel as a result of its floor to ceiling windows.

The charming Adonia is the newest of the P&O fleet, and also the smallest, so is bound to suit couples looking for that air of friendliness and intimacy. Adonia’s library, situated on the Sun deck, is an ideal setting for ceremonies with up to 15 guests. Couples getting wed aboard the world-class Aurora can enjoy the splendor of the Uganda Room, which, with its elegant wood paneling and floor to ceiling windows accommodates up to 25 guests.

The glamorous Oceana offers couples a choice of venues; The Captain’s lounge is the Captain’s private function room, and is suitable for up to 25 guests for a quiet ceremony, whereas the Library, on the Promenade deck, will house up to 40 in luxurious surroundings.  Larger and livelier wedding groups will enjoy the sophistication of Oceana’s Starlights Lounge, situated Promenade Deck, and accommodating up to 80 guests.

The elegant and very British Oriana is particularly child-friendly, and couples looking for a spectacular wedding venue will be delighted with the panoramic views from the Captain’s Lounge, which spans the length of the bridge. Suitable for up to 40 guests, the room is only available for hire for private functions.

For couples in search of more contemporary surroundings, the impressive Azura and Ventura are the largest ships in P&O’s fleet. The Ivory Suites aboard both vessels are the allocated wedding venues, and seat up to 40 guests.

After the ceremony, the biggest benefit of all – the honeymoon starts immediately! Already aboard your own luxury floating hotel, the honeymoon itself can be as exotic, as adventurous or as restful as the chosen itinerary provides – something many may call having your wedding cake and eating it!

For more information contact Gill’s Cruise Centre on 0800 160 1260 or visit www.gillscruise.com