Imagine your dream wedding aboard a private paddlewheeler while cruising the beautiful Channel Islands Harbor. You and your guests will enjoy an unforgettable event with breathtaking sunsets and ocean and mountain vistas as you tie the nautical knot aboard the Scarlett Belle.
Romantic wedding
Close your eyes and imagine a romantic wedding aboard a private paddlewheeler. The expansive backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, the dramatic sunsets, and the fabulous view of the Channel Islands will capture the moment as you and your partner say your vows to one another and tie the “nautical knot.” Take advantage of the amazing photo opportunities such as an incredible setting can provide. Summon your wedding guests with boat horns and the serene churning sound of the paddle wheels. They will be thrilled to be part of such a rarely experienced nautical nuptial.
Covered walkarounds
Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by the Captain and uniformed crew, who will escort them to the upper level of the double-decker steamwheeler. Covered walkarounds with gingerbread trim encircle both decks and, as the cruise embarks, everyone gathers along the railing for a front-row seat to a breathtaking California sunset.
Meanwhile, you await your cue in your pretty Bride’s Room, located in the enclosed upper cabin (lined with view-filled windows) where the ceremony takes place. While the captain docks at tranquil Western Point, a grassy bank abloom with seasonal flowers, guests are seated for the ceremony.
Passengers strolling
Afterward, champagne glasses are filled and hors d’oeuvres are passed from the Fiddle-de-dee Bar and Aunt Pittypat’s Galley. The cruise resumes and Nature entertains the passengers strolling the walkarounds: The tide splashes against a rocky cove where a snowy egret poses stock-still, like a statue of carved ivory. The cries of gulls wheeling overhead draw attention to a flock of brown pelicans, deftly soaring inches above the glistening waterway. Rows of sailboat masts stretch heavenward, and on the horizon, the dusky contours of the Channel Islands pop out against an opalescent background of sea and sky.
The salty breeze stirs appetites, and guests enter the carpeted Tara Ballroom on the lower deck for a formal reception. Arched multipaned windows all around capture the view, while a soaring picture window at the stern frames the red paddlewheel churning in the water. Michelle plans to outfit the ballroom with classically elegant decor, including Chiavari chairs and chandeliers suspended from a nine-foot ceiling. Drinks are served from Rhett’s Bar, and the ballroom is spacious enough to accommodate a DJ or band, as well as a dance floor in front of the picture window, so guests can boogie to the rhythm of the paddlewheel.
As stars pepper the night sky and the Harbor Lighthouse casts a spectral glow upon the water, the evening winds down and you and your loved ones feel exhilarated, thanks to your novel adventure and a truly memorable celebration.