The Ultimate White Wedding
Our colleague Conny Bartl, part of the team who run Hebridean Sky & Island Sky, experienced a true white wedding recently during an Antarctica expedition voyage.
“A bride and groom wearing rubber boots!” Sounds a little kinky don’t you think, but nothing to worry about here as they have good reason – they are tying the knot on The White Continent.
A strange venue? Not at all, and it’s not the first time this Antarctica season that a happy couple have decided to get hitched in this unique wilderness. I was extremely lucky enough to be sailing in Antarctica very recently and the wedding was an exciting bonus.
It was interesting to note how this all worked, with both the expedition team and passengers alike obviously feeling a great part of this wonderful celebration in such a sensational location. Because a professional photographer is always on board, all the proceedings were recorded with outstanding expertise and with great sensitivity for this part of the world. Opportunities were abundant. Just imagine, pure white backdrops, ice everywhere you look, breath-taking scenery and wilderness, and maybe a little snow if you’re lucky to create even more romance – like icing on the cake as it were. But there’s no show without Punch as you cannot stop nature in its tracks…in this case a procession of penguins (how rude) taking the limelight, walking right through the wedding shot, just getting on with their day-to-day penguin business and completely unaware of what’s happening around them!
When you think about it, whether it’s a special birthday, wedding blessing or anniversary, celebrating on an epic voyage of this nature makes sense and saves you a small fortune! Why? Because virtually everything’s included. As well as having the location and the venue in place, you have your invited guests (including lovely likeminded fellow passengers), a professional photographer already on board free of charge, fine dining catering including several courses, wedding cake and the wine, all taken care of. Even the blessing ceremony is included which is carried out by our own exceptional Polar Captain. So, nothing painful to pick up at the end of the celebration except another glass of wine to celebrate a perfect day.
Everyone was wonderfully surprised how the expedition team and crew generously got involved with preparation for this special occasion. Instead of the bride being escorted down the alter, she was carefully taken by Zodiac which was terribly romantic. She looked stunning. Although our vessels are English speaking throughout, it was so moving when all of the different passenger nationalities prepared a “best wishes” message in their own language before the celebration dinner started that evening.
What a privilege to feel part of this intimate experience and to share not just the ceremony but the incredible natural world. I found it very spiritual and very much inclusive, as did my fellow passengers, all together – the happy couple, the passengers and crew and expeditions team alike.
But you don’t have to be getting married to sail on our first-class vessels. You just have to be prepared for the experience of a lifetime, unique wildlife encounters, total wilderness and probably the finest scenery you could ever hope for. Our enthusiastic Polar Experts have been working for us year on year and they love to share their wealth of knowledge with you whether it’s out on deck, on Zodiac landings and during meal times. Many of our passengers are single travellers and we attract like-minded, wildlife and natural world enthusiasts at every level which makes for super camaraderie on board. We have a small amount of single cabin space but also offer triple and twin cabins to share, and if you wish you can upgrade to balcony suites.
Hebridean Sky & Island Sky Vessels offer you:
- Spacious All Suite Cabins, Maximum 112-114 (Ideal for Antarctica)
- Quality surroundings throughout
- World Class Cuisine, Wine & Beer Included at Dinner
- Expert Zodiac Landings Twice Daily & Informal Lecture Programme
- Kayaking & Camping on Ice available on most departures
- Photo Coach on board every departure
- Complimentary Helly Hanson Polar Jacket & Rubber boots for loan
- 2 Nights Pre Stay in 5 Star Spa Hotel Included
- 100 Minutes of Free Wi-Fi for your personal use
- Elevators serving all passenger decks
- WILDFOOT Exclusive Offers!
And if you are celebrating a milestone birthday, an anniversary or a wedding, we’d love to help to make it an occasion to remember during your exceptional, epic Polar experience.
The finest whale watching in Antarctica is usually late February and early March. We have two ideal departures and the good news is we still have some space, although limited!
One is an in-depth Antarctica Circle voyage which comes with a generous offer, and the second is an exceptionally unique whale science voyage which focuses on the marine mammals of Antarctica. Amazing opportunities to experience The White Continent at its best.
And if you are celebrating a milestone birthday, an anniversary or a wedding, we’d love to help to make it an occasion to remember during your exceptional, epic Polar experience.
Exclusive offer
WILDFOOT Travel offer a pair of quality binoculars (one per cabin) for any reservations on Hebridean Sky or Island Sky during the 2018/19 or 2019/20 season. Must book before 31 October 2018.
Find out more about our trips on Hebridean Sky and Island Sky here:
Hebridean Sky
Island Sky
