Plan a Unique Destination Wedding Floating in Florida

Most brides have dreamed of their wedding day for many years, but few have planned a ceremony as unique as the ones offered by "Weddings on Water" in Cortez, Florida. Through them you can arrange to have your ceremony on America's only "Floating Chapel on the Bay," which cruises the intracoastal waterways between Sarasota and Anna Maria Island off the coast of Southwest Florida.

Couples often consider the area as the site for a beautiful beach wedding, but the floating chapel offers an opportunity to combine the beauty of the coastal shoreline with the traditional setting of a little wedding chapel. The result is a truly unique wedding experience, and some perfect photographic opportunities. In fact, a local writer recently dubbed it "the Love Boat" because so many couples have already booked their dream wedding onboard.

The chapel originally belonged to Phil Henderson Sr. Henderson was visiting Australia in 2003 when he saw a tiny chapel floating on the water there and was intrigued. A year later he owned a million-dollar copy of the chapel, a bit larger than the original, which he docked in St. Petersburg, Florida. The 76 year old Henderson operated the chapel there for about five years before he decided to retire.

Meanwhile, married Sarasota boat captains Jerry "Orca" Fisher and Jill Chandler-Fisher had sold their boat and were looking for something new. She saw the ad for "America's Only Floating Chapel," with the price reduced to $625,000, and arranged to step aboard. It was love at first sight... The Fishers found a slip, the chapel changed hands 2 years ago, and the love has continued ever since.

Though from the outside the little white building with a bright blue metal roof looks like a traditional chapel, the appearance masks a water-worthy vessel that meets stringent coast guard marine standards. The interior of the chapel walls is fiberglass, and the structure features hurricane-resistant glass over gorgeous stained-glass windows.

Self-propelled by twin 125-horsepower diesel engines, the chapel can hit 6 knots, though it really isn't built for speed. The traditional anchor was replaced with 2 "spuds," electrically operated steel beams that can be lowered to stabilize the Chapel while a ceremony is held.

The pontoon-based vehicle supports a full-sized chapel with all the amenities of a church: climate-controlled seating in pews that hold up to 100 guests, cathedral ceilings and even a cute picket fence around the outside deck. All the trimmings combine to create an intimate and unforgettable setting for a wedding that couples and their families will treasure for a lifetime.

Weddings on Water offers 3 wedding packages starting at $700, but the average cost of renting the vessel is $1,700 - not bad for a once-in-a-lifetime affair. The price includes a cruise around the Sarasota Bay area, services of a wedding coordinator, rehearsal time, a formally-attired Captain to perform the ceremony, recorded music, silk flower decorations, and a changing room for the Bride. Cake and/or champagne receptions are available on the deck, but many couples prefer to dock at a local spot and enjoy a reception back on land.

Of course, couples always have the opportunity to customize their wedding ceremonies by adding ala carte features like a champagne cruise or a tropical dove release. The Chapel has a shallow draft which allows it to travel the local waters and pull up at waterfront properties, seawalls and businesses for boarding or departing, so additional activities can be included to the cruise.

The Floating Chapel on the Bay is also available for other special events like vow renewals, commitment ceremonies, baby dedications, christenings/baptisms and memorial services. And what chapel wouldn't be open for church services? The Fishers sponsor regular "W.O.W" (Worship on Water) services on Sunday mornings. These events, which are "non-denominational, non-affiliated" services, include a 1-1/2 hour cruise. Don't you just love their slogan? May Your Faith be as deep as the ocean and your troubles as light as the sea foam.

If you'd like to schedule your own unique and very special wedding, visit the Fishers' website: http://www.weddingsonwater.com or give them a call: (941) 379-7327. Their home port address is: 4110 127th Street West, Cortez, Florida 34215. For a cool video of the Chapel see http://www.weddingsonwater.com/video_tour.htm.

References:
http://goflorida.about.com/od/cruises/a/weddings_water.htm

http://www.weddingsonwater.com/press_coverage.htm

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/tourism/floating-chapel-leaves-st-petersburg-pier-anchors-in-historic-cortez/1067389