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San Diego Wedding FAQs
How do I reserve our yacht?
What is the deposit and payment procedure?
What is the parking like?
Will we have a rehearsal?
Is the ceremony legal?
Can we write our own vows?
Can we have the ceremony on the outside deck?
Can we provide our own catering? Do we have to use your packages?
Can children sail? Is there an age requirement?
How should we word our invitations?
Additional Services
Can we pick out our cake?
Will there be time to set up?
How does the DJ work?
Can we burn our own CDs?
Will my guests get seasick?
Decor and Favor Information
What is the weather generally like late winter-early spring on San Diego harbor?
What, if any, tips are expected or required?
Are we required to purchase additional insurance and/or fuel?
Are there any expected charges not included in the per person posted prices on Hornblower's website?
When is the Final Count and Payment Due?
What is the smoking policy on the boats?
Are there any recommendations for ladies shoes, particularly against "spiky" heels?
Is there any room for dancing?
Are vegetarian substitutions for a seated dinner selection available with advance notice?
Can we provide our own alcohol?
Are the yachts wheelchair accessible?
How do we get our Marriage License?Placing your deposit and signing the contract will secure your yacht, date, and time. All additional details are flexible and may be changed up to 30 days prior to your event. Deposits may be made by Credit Card or by check, payable to Hornblower Cruises and Events. Feel free to fax or mail your deposit in.
Fax: 619.686.8733
Mailing address: 2825 5th Avenue, San Diego, California 92103
What is the deposit and payment procedure?
Wedding Deposits are non-refundable, and they do come out of your final balance. The deposit may be placed on a credit card, and this is the only time we can take payment by credit card. We will need a Guarantee Guest Count seven business days before you sail, this count cannot decrease however, you may add guests up until the event. Your final balance will be based on this amount of guests. Final Balance is due in the form of Cashier's Check or Money Order only. Please make check payable to Hornblower Cruises and Events, and please include your booking number on the check.
Metered parking is available directly across the street from the boarding location and on the Broadway Pier. Meters are free after 6pm, and all day on Sundays and Holidays. In addition, there are two pay lots that are run by the Port of San Diego ranging in rates from $1.00 to $12.00 per car. These are located at the corner of Broadway and Harbor Drive. Please allow ample time to locate parking.
If you would like a map, click here. Please refer to your proposal for boarding location and parking information.
Rehearsals are not generally needed for the yachts. Should you feel you would like one, we will be happy to schedule one for you. The cost is $150.00. It will be added to your contract and a tentative time will be scheduled. However, the rehearsal day/time is not guaranteed and is subject to change.
Your ceremony is legal. Our captains are licensed, ordained non-denominational ministers. You will need to provide your marriage license issued in the state of California. You may provide your own officiant if you like.
The Ceremony performed by the Captain is a standard, traditional non-religious ceremony. Should you wish to make minor changes to the vows, please feel free to do so. All changes made to the vows need to be submitted for approval no later than one month before the date of your wedding. To see the vows, click here.
Can we have the ceremony on the outside deck?
On certain yachts, the ceremony can be performed on the outside deck. Keep in mind there is nothing like a sea breeze to mess up a beautiful hair and make-up job not to mention what it does to a veil!
Can we provide our own catering? Do we have to use your packages?
Hornblower is one of the top 3 caterers in San Diego and does not allow any outside food or beverage. If you would like to change the packages, we would be happy to customize a menu for you.
Can children sail? Is there an age requirement?
Children of any age are welcome to sail with us. There is a children's menu available for private cruise and a child rate applies to ages 12 and under.* Package prices vary.
*Adult full rate minimum needs to be met before Child Rate applies.
How should we word our invitations?
At this time, invitations are not available through Hornblower at this time. When ordering your invitations, the following wording is suggested:
Aboard the yacht "____"
Boarding at ____
Sailing promptly at ____Special note: Make sure if you have a pre-selected choice of Menu items, you include the menu choice in your RSVP cards, so your guests may respond with their choice.
To see sample invitations, click here.
Hornblower is a full service event planning company. Flowers, photography and entertainment are just a few of the things we can assist with. Once you book your wedding with us, we will provide you with a list of our Contracted and Recommended Wedding Professionals. You will have all of the names and numbers you need for a beautiful event. You can set up meetings at your convenience to choose the things you like.
Once you book, you can pick out your cake. We will provide you with a few bakers' names and numbers for you. It will be a cake for the size of your group. Hornblower does not provide cake toppers, cake knife and server but feel free to bring your own. If you do not wish to use one of our contracted bakers, you may provide your own cake. A 3.00 per person cake service fee will apply.
If you wish to do your own setup, there is a small window of time for you to do so. Your Sales Manager will consult with you and put together a timeline for the event with all the details for a successful wedding, from setup to cake cutting!
Hornblower uses local, working professional DJ's to insure a successful event—from the ceremony music to the Chicken Dance. A few weeks before your event, your DJ will contact you to discuss the music and details of your wedding.
All of our yachts as well as the Abbey have CD changers and you may bring on your background music. Background music will not be loud enough to dance to.
We cruise in the calm waters of the San Diego Bay. You should not be affected by the waters of the open ocean.
Candles with open flame are not allowed on the yachts as it presents a fire hazard. If you wish to bring candles for centerpieces, please adhere to the following guidelines. Candleholders need to be bottom heavy and the flame needs to be covered by 1 1/2 inches of tempered glass, or another kind of hurricane container.
Bubbles may not be blown on the yachts as the soap makes the decks slippery and therefore unsafe. Blown indoors it stains the carpeting (not to mention satin or silk wedding dresses). Bubbles may be blown after disembarking and makes a nice grand exit. Confetti, rice, or birdseed is not allowed on the yachts.
Rose petals are not allowed because they stain the carpet. Sprinkled lightly on tables is okay.
Our Crew will be happy to put out wedding favors for you. Please bring them (in a box clearly labeled with your name, wedding date, and yacht) to your final appointment.
What is the weather generally like late winter-early spring on San Diego harbor?
You never know in San Diego! It could be 75 degrees and sunny or chilly and maybe a little rainy. However, all of the event takes place inside, and we sail rain or shine.
What, if any, tips are expected or required?
There will be taxes and service charge included in your proposal. That service charge will cover your gratuities. Feel free to tip for above and beyond service.
Are we required to purchase additional insurance and/or fuel?
At this time, Hornblower does not charge for fuel and require additional insurance.
Are there any expected charges not included in the per person posted prices on Hornblower's website?
If you are adding things like florals or photography, those might be some additional items not included in your package.
When is Final Count and Final Payment Due?
Your final count is due 7 business days before you sail. The final balance is due 5 business days before you sail. When you give the count we will need to know how many of each menu item, if there are vegetarians, and children. If you are feeding your vendors, please include them in the count as well. Don't forget to count yourself and your fiancé!
What is the smoking policy on the boats?
Guests may smoke on the outside decks.
Are there any policies on recommendations for ladies shoes, particularly against "spiky" heels?
Although we do not require any specific type of shoe, ladies will be more comfortable in a lower heel.
Is there any room for dancing?
All of our yachts have a dance floor. Feel free to kick up your (low) heels!
Are vegetarian substitutions for a seated dinner selection available with advance notice?
Yes, there will always be accommodations for your vegetarian guests.
Can we provide our own alcohol?
You may not bring alcohol on board. You may bring wine or champagne if it is something that we cannot attain. There is a $15.00 per bottle corkage fee.
Are the yachts wheelchair accessible?
Hornblower's San Diego fleet has 3 yachts that have limited access with a wheelchair. They are the Lord Hornblower, Adventure Hornblower and Emerald Hornblower. Unfortunately, our other yachts do not have wheelchair access to the yacht and/or the restrooms.
How do we get our Marriage License?
Hornblower does not provide the Marriage License and you must bring it with you to present to the Captain before the ceremony may take place. If you are already married you must let us know. The Marriage License must be issued in the state of California . They are valid for 90 days Marriage License Information is available on-line at www.sdarcc.com or you may contact the County Recorders office.
RECORDER/CLERK'S MAIN OFFICE1600 Pacific Highway, Room 260
San Diego, CA 92101
Mail Stop: A-33General Information: (619) 237-0502
Calling from North County: (760) 630-1219
Marriage Licenses Information: (619) 531-6248
