Fashion designer Harmony went full neon-pink Barbie when she married Rob aboard the Carnival Venezia cruise ship. Together they turned it into a floating dreamhouse in hot pink and white… with extra rhinestones.

Harmony wore a custom gown covered in rhinestones with matching silk gloves, a hot pink veil and faux fur shoes. She topped it off with a bedazzled “Bride” cap. Rob matched her energy with a three-piece tuxedo in the same palette.

“The inspiration was my lifestyle,” Harmony said. “I wear pink every day and I identify as Barbie Quinn – 50% Barbie and 50% Harley Quinn!” Every element of the day was custom. From the cake to the plates, the napkins to the decorations, everything shouted pink. Even their vows and the sand ceremony were their own creation, a deliberate step away from tradition and certainly far from a church aisle.

The ceremony itself was heavy with emotion. “I was SOOO nervous walking down the aisle but I felt like a queen as everyone stood up”, the bride continued. “My husband was crying and he was the most handsome I’ve ever seen in my life,” They danced to All of Me by John Legend, singing to each other and locking eyes as if the whole ship had disappeared.

The reception kept the fantasy alive. “Our reception felt like living in the Barbie Dreamhouse! All Barbie everything from the cake to the decorations and eatery! We laughed, danced, celebrated and toasted.” Her bridesmaids took on the DIY duties for her bachelorette party and reception, while Harmony customised parts of her own dress and bridal cap.

The couple had no interest in a typical big-budget wedding. “Most weddings start at $20,000 so I looked for all-inclusive wedding options,” Harmony explained. “I priced out various cruise lines and ultimately Carnival was the cheapest – combining a wedding and eight-day Caribbean honeymoon all for just under $9,000!”

For Harmony, the planning process wasn’t intimidating. “As an established fashion designer I’m used to planning big shows like fashion week, fashion shows and events so I looked at it like planning the best fashion show EVER!” The challenge, however, came with the cruise ship rules. “As we had a Carnival Cruise Wedding I wasn’t used to and didn’t like NOT having full control! Apparently there are a lot of rules and restrictions getting married on a cruise ship.”

Looking back, there are some things she’d do differently. “I wish I hadn’t been so stressed out and had taken more selfies, pics with guests and video with guests. The photographer took up so much of our time taking pics that I feel like it took away from some of my family time.” She also second-guessed some of her accessories, wishing she’d stuck with one veil instead of two and skipped the bridal visor altogether.

Still, the overall message she has for other couples is clear. “Do it your way, have fun. It’s YOUR wedding so there are no rules. Don’t ever care what others think. Also try not to stress so much! Just have fun!”