A Worldly Wedding
Photographed by Heather M. Whiting
"We loved working with Heather Whiting. Not only did she capture the event perfectly but she was a pleasure to spend our time with.
She was a great support to me all day." Mira Carlton
The Wedding of Mira & Jayson Carlton
A Sentimental Journey Around The World
Mira and Jayson Carlton wanted to share the anticipation of their new life together with their wedding guest.
It had to be something very special. Their wedding was a feast for the eyes and created a unique wedding experience
for 40 close friends and family.
How did you meet?
Jayson and I met in Orlando through mutual friends at a Texas Hold em Poker Game. We had met a year earlier but there had been no spark. After that evening Jayson came over to help me get settled in my new house. We talked and talked for endless hours and became pretty inseparable very quickly. We shared a love for travel and mutual longing to see the world.
How did he propose?
While on vacation with my mother and stepfather in St. Thomas we just began looking for rings. When we saw my ring we knew it was the one immediately. There was no grand proposal; we simply knew we would spend our lives together.
Which rings did you select?
My ring is a 13-carat intense yellow canary diamond ring set in over 2 carats of white diamonds in a Chopard setting. It is extraordinary and I just love it. Jayson wears a Cartier tank with diamonds. We purchased his ring in Nice on another trip. We love to make all our big purchases on vacations, which allow us to create memories in every port.
Where did you get married?
The World of ResidenSea is the first floating condo hotel. We had not even purchased our residence on the World yet, or even visited the vessel before I chose it as a venue. We had seen the ship on the Internet, and after we received the brochure I just knew that I wanted to live aboard it and have my wedding there. After visiting the ship for the first time, Jayson and I were certain that there could be no better lifestyle than living at the location of your wedding. Not many people can smile daily when passing the spot where they said, “I do.”
What was your vision for the wedding and reception?
We knew all along that we were going to do an 'around the world' theme. We wanted our guests to experience a trip around the world much like the voyage that we were going to embark on. Jayson and I had come up with a number of countries we thought would work for the tables. Jayson and I were so excited that we began brainstorming. We quickly came up with the idea to rotate the guests around the room, from table to table, so that they could enjoy the all the different fantastic table décors.
How did you envision the logistics of moving your guests for each course?
We deceided to create a guide in the form of a passport for the guests. The passport would help them maneuver around the room throughout the evening. To add some fun to the task, we quickly began creating poems for each passport clue. These poems included facts about the country they were in, listed what they were dining on in each course, and clues as to what they would experience in that country. With every table they sat at, there was an ”experience”.
What do you mean by "experience"?
Every part of the wedding reception was an experience. For example while in China they would experience
a Cirque like performance from a Chinese Acrobat/contortionist. While in Russia the guests would experience
a Cirque like 2 man balancing act.
For the intermezzo we served individual sorbets which were presented on carved ice sculptures that were lit from underneath.
The wait stafff delivered them in a touring procession around the table. The ice sculptures were carved in the shape of something that reflected the country they were now dining in. It was details like these that really made the wedding unbelievable.
What you were trying to achieve?
We wanted it to be a night that would always be remembered. Our friends know just how over the top, excessive,
we can be. We wanted it to be an expression of ourselves. We wanted to create a completely unique evening.
What did you do for the entertainment?
To begin with, guests had to be transported from the shore to the ship. We had a violin and a flute aboard the tender boat to make the transition special. For the classical wedding ceremony we selected a three-piece brass band. During the reception, dinner we had a band out of Orlando Florida who also MC’d the evening which was a lot of fun. We interviewed a lot of talent for the Cirque acts, and chose the performers very carefully.
Who catered your wedding?
The Worlds senior chef de cuisine, Frederic Molinie did all of the food. We had several tastings and were thrilled with the evenings fare.
Each course represented one of the countries. For example, while in Asia we served a Bento Box. We served six courses and each course
had a wine pairing.
What did you use for favors?
These were a lot of fun, but a lot of work. The favors were actually individually chosen gifts from the country where the guest would begin their dinner. For example, our friends at the Asian table received tailor purchased items that they would appreciate such as a sake set, small Buddha, Chinese tea set, and so on. Each was individually wrapped and laid out on a gift table when the guests returned to the Marina Restaurant for dinner. Attached to the gift was the passport which determined which table they would be seated at first.
How did you introduce your guests to the reception area?
The guests were brought into the dining area 4 at a time and we waiting with excitement as the guest realized first that they were to receive a gift, and secondly that they had to start a journey for the evening. Up to this point no one had any idea that this wasn’t going to be an ordinary sit down dinner.
Can you describe your embellished tables at the reception?
There were four guests tables situated in the Marina that evening. The themes for the tables were: Venice, Paris, India and Asia. Each table had similar features represented in a different and dramatic way depending on the location. For example, each chair had something dangling off the back. For India, we chose to create brightly colored floral garlands. For Venice, we used small white Venetian masks.
What were some of the extraordinary details you used?
Mirrors - each table was magnified by a 5-foot by 8-foot mirror behind it. This helped create an intimacy for each space,
reflecting all the lights and table décor. Light was another important issue to us. Ships cannot allow candles aboard.
We used carved out candles with LED lights. The room sparkled and still had the fragrance of burning candles.
Monogramed Charger - each place setting had a custom charger with our new monogram on it.
Our wedding planner
had this monogram created and we just love it.
Centerpieces - the centerpieces were not similar either. We wanted them to be more like a collage of things one might see in that country.
Table-scapes were created that appeared more interesting the more one looked at them.
I could always find a new treasure each time I visited with a guest.
The Cake - the cake stood over 6-feet off the ground. It was also collaboration. It began with a watercolor of the cake.
Each layer represented a different table. Laurent Audren, The World’s pastry chef created the masterpiece. It was an Opera cake - almond and chocolate sponge, soaked with coffee liquor, layered with coffee butter cream and chocolate ganache, topoed with a layer of marzipan and garnished with icing sugar. Oh so yummy!
What was the inspiration for the Bride & Groom table?
Our table was a vision of Russia. We sat near the dance and performance floor at a table for 2. We sat on white fur covered thrones underneath a canopy of crystals. Beautiful 1-foot, 3-foot, and 5-foot crystal icicles created a shimmering cave like area for us to nestle and dine in. Huge candelabras adorned the table all covered in white crystal trimmed orchids. I was even surprised with a white fur muff to wear at the event.
How many attended?
We had to make sure there were exactly 40.
Why exactly 40?
Each table of 10 guests had to move at the same time. It was hard to limit the list, but we knew that to put on a detailed show of this nature meant that we could only have our really close friends and immediate family. It made the evening so intimate. Every person there was important to both of us.
Who designed your dress?
I wore Reem Acra. It was a very classical design with a very sexy backless twist. It had over 30 bustles to tie up after the ceremony, which was one of the best features. It moved and danced in space almost on it’s own-without being too full and poofy.
What flowers did you choose for your bouquet?
Again we wanted to do something over the top, but we didn’t want it to fight the fantastic décor. I carried a fabulous cascade of white orchids. To make them more exciting individual crystals were glued onto each orchid petal to reflect the light. It was also surrounded with white feathers to make the piece more modern. It was exceptional. Jayson’s corsage also had white orchid with crystals and a white feather.
Jayson looked dashing. What was he wearing?
Jayson chose a crepe Armani tuxedo from Bergdorfs, and a custom made bow tie, shirt and vest.
Where did you travel for your honeymoon?
Our honeymoon took place aboard The World, our new residence. We traveled for 100 days and visited Mexico, The Caribbean, South America, California, and Hawaii. It was an amazing trip. We settled home in Sarasota Florida for a couple of months to regroup and our now on a continuing journey. We are discovering Asia (China, Vietnam, Tibet, Thailand, Bali, Cambodia), Australia and New Zealand, and finally Fiji and French Polynesia. We dine regularly in the Marina Restaurant on The World and can always look back on the event with total excitement.