Featuring panoramic views, scenic harbors and bays, beautifully-appointed yachts and the freshest, regional cuisine, Hornblower Cruises & Events (HCE) has earned the reputation as one of the country’s premier wedding venue options with over 70 yachts in it’s eight ports throughout California and in New York City.

Whether it’s dream weddings or intimate nuptial celebrations, HCE provides the ideal “stage” for everything from the engagement celebration, bachelor/bachelorette party and rehearsal dinner to out-of-town guest brunch, small ceremony, elopement, marriage of any kind, dream wedding or grand reception.

Each of HCE’s ports provide attentive and professional wedding coordinators that help design the perfect event aboard any one of the fleet’s yachts. The coordinators are well suited to plan everything in advance of the big day, from “soup to nuts,” including: menu selection, décor, theme, cocktail menus, wedding ceremony officiated by an HCE Captain, live music, DJs, securing wedding photographers, videographers, party favors, wedding cakes, and more.

With over 35 years of experience in servicing private yacht charters, Hornblower Cruises & Events accommodates everything from intimate parties of two to grand celebrations up to 2,200. So, whether it’s an intimate gathering, outdoor wedding or grand affair, HCE provides views that are at desirable destinations with flexible spaces and various budget options, customized menus & cocktails, the full bounty of wedding planning services, and unique adventures.

Ports include: New York, San Francisco, San Diego, Marina del Rey, Newport Beach, Long Beach, Berkeley and Sacramento. Additionally, Hornblower also manages The Abbey on Fifth in San Diego, which is located in the heart of uptown San Diego next door to Balboa Park.

Get inspired by this visual tour of Hornblower Cruises & Events with the inaugural issue of the Tie The Knot wedding publication:

WedTech ideas to help with wedding planning:

Boothify.me – This social photos booth integrates and displays live photos, tweets and Instagrams in real time. Share the stream with the party by projecting it on walls, TVs and/or the ceiling…all from an iPad device.
Pinterest – This iPad App helps bridal parties discover and plan the wedding. When there is an interesting suggestion, “Pin It.”
Spotify/iTunes – Instead of a DJ or live band, brides and grooms can create their own playlist or station and collect song suggestions from guests.
Wedjinni.com – This site helps manage everything from wedding planning, budget, guests, registry, to-do lists and vendors.
Weddingpartyapp.com – This site helps with invites, sharing the details of the wedding, the journey to marriage, setting up virtual wedding planners, creating signature hashtags and generating a mood board of favorite, thematic photos.
Other fun tech ideas – Consider creating a livestream of the wedding for those that can’t make it in person. Provide downloadable gifts to guests or develop a custom video from the couple to stream during the reception.