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Would You Officiate a Wedding in Antarctica?

Published Wednesday, Jan. 6th, 2021


These wedding guests are already dressed for the big day...

Penguins dressed in their ‘tuxedo’ finery, seals barking along with the wedding vows, and icy white cliffs jutting up the sea to frame that unforgettable ‘first kiss’ photo…

 

Adventurous couples now have a new way to say ‘I do’ in one of the world’s most distant destinations – Antarctica.

 

 

A man and woman dressed in a wedding suit and gown stand aboard the deck of a cruise ship with an Antarctic scene behind them

Dreamy 'I do's via the Happily Ever Atlas brochere

 

 

These new once-in-a-lifetime nuptials come care of the Happily Ever Atlas wedding package, organized by a new luxury cruise line, Atlas Ocean Voyages. The all-inclusive package offers five-star dining, an on-board sauna, bachelor and bachelorette parties, full air fare, the cost of the marriage license, and more.

 

The first Happily Ever Atlas expedition sets sail from Argentina on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2022.

 

 

The cruise ship for Atlas Ocean Voyages Valentine's Day expedition

Romantic views via @atlasoceanvoyages

 

 

Couples and their closest crew will be required to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 and a negative PCR test to board, making the 10 day adventure one of the safer ways to combine a destination wedding and honeymoon during the pandemic. 

 

 

Screenshots from Atlas Ocean Voyages Instagram, showing a snowy scene from the cruise ship, an ocean sauna room, and a penguin with the caption 'Just Vibing'

Just vibing via @atlasoceanvoyages

 

 

If you’re anything like us, you’re wondering what a travel-loving wedding officiant has to do to get a gig aboard a ship like this… 

 

 

Imagine delivering a wedding ceremony against this magnificent backdrop!

 

Who needs a man-made cathedral or a boutique chapel decked out in decadent decor to make a wedding script shine, when you have this spectacular setting as a venue?

 

Mother Nature really does do it best.  

 

 

Antarctic Peninsula via Unsplash, Derek Oyen photographer

Iceberg tunnel photographed off Portal Point via Derek Oyen, Unsplash 

 

 

Unfortunately for us, for now, these bucket-list nuptials can only be solemnized by authorized Marriage Officers registered with the British Antarctic Territory – a list that doesn’t yet recognize ministers ordained over the internet. 

 

That means that AMM Ministers can’t pack our bags for an icy southern ceremony just yet, but we can certainly dream about it. 

 

 

And as more couples decide to celebrate love at the edge of the world, more opportunities may appear on the horizon. AMM Ministers can always perform vow renewals and sequel weddings in Antarctica, and anywhere else around the world our couples take us. 

 

 

For now, we’re also more than happy to pull on our parkas to co-officiate.

 

Sign us up! 

 

 

Get the full scoop on Happily Ever Atlas in Mikkel Woodruff’s article for Thrillest. 

 

...

 


By the way, if the $12,000 Happily Ever Atlas wedding package isn’t in your budget, there are other ways to say ‘I do’ in Antarctica. 

 

Couples wishing to travel and marry on the distant continent can visit the British Antarctic Territory government website to learn about the requirements to marry there, how to apply for a marriage license, and the rules for solemnizing and registering an Antartic marriage.

 

Then, visit the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) site to see other environmentally-responsible tour guides that are currently offering wedding services and to arrange your visit.

 

The IAATO is a member organization founded in 1991 to advocate and promote the practice of safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to Antarctica. (via the IAATO website

 

 

kayaking in Antarctica

Kayaking in an icy pristine paradise via @atlasoceanvoyages

 


We love to see members of the wedding and hospitality industry working together to reduce their impact on the planet! 

 

To learn about AMM’s own efforts to reduce our environmental impact here at home, visit our Charitable Activities page, or read about our ongoing Carbonfree partnership with Carbonfund.org.

 

 


 

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See all articles tagged Destination Weddings

 


 


Jessica Levey
Jessica Levey

Lead Staff Writer & Illustrator

Jessica loves exploring the history and magic of ritual, the connections between people and places, and sharing true stories about love and commitment. She's an advocate for marriage equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and individuality, and is an ordained Minister with AMM. When she’s not writing or illustrating for AMM, she enjoys city hikes, fantasy novels, comics, and traveling.

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