The only saloon boat in the fleet with true capacity for a large wedding
Back to the fleet
Saloon BoatsWedding venue on the water
Bota Fogo
The grande dame of the fleet.
Getting married on the Bota Fogo: 12–90 guests on board this historic saloon boat, at €10,000 all-in for a fully curated eight-hour wedding day including ceremony, catering, drinks, styling, sound and your own wedding planner. Covered and heated, so ceremony, dinner and dancing go ahead in every season. The vessel is chartered exclusively for you and never shared. Cruising area: The UNESCO canal ring, the Amstel and the Oosterdok.
12–90 guestsSaloon BoatsCovered & heatedAll seasons
The story
A private charter, exclusively yours.
Bota Fogo is the largest saloon boat in the Amsterdam Boats fleet, an imposing floating wedding venue with a generous salon, expansive aft deck, and a serenity ideally suited to larger weddings.
Where most canal boats feel personal, Bota Fogo feels stately. The broad timber salon accommodates a fully dressed dinner table for dozens of guests; the aft deck offers room for a ceremony or dance floor arrangement.
For weddings of up to around 90 guests, Bota Fogo is the natural choice when a large guest list must not come at the expense of atmosphere or grandeur.
Why couples choose Bota Fogo
Moments that can only happen on board.
Separate zones for ceremony, dinner and dancing aboard a single ship
Fully enclosed and heated, usable in every season
Suited to
Who is Bota Fogo the right wedding venue for?
Exceptionally suited to larger weddings where ceremony, dinner and dancing must all take place aboard one vessel.
Wedding use
Ceremony
Dinner
Reception
Dance party
- Civil ceremony
- Symbolic ceremony
- Reception
- Luxury dinner
- Walking dinner
- Cocktail drinks
- Evening celebration
- Live music
- DJ
- Dance party
- Family wedding
- Destination wedding
- Elopement
Anything missing here, or any extra wishes you have, we're happy to discuss, every wedding is composed personally.
On board
What you and your guests will find on board.
Saloon
The heart of the vessel, wood-panelled walls, panoramic windows, warm light.
Dinner setup
Room for a seated chef's dinner for up to 63 guests.
Aft deck
Open deck for the ceremony, golden-hour photos and evening toasts.
Wheelhouse
Manned by a professional skipper, discreetly present, always at your service.
Bar
A full onboard bar for cocktails, wine pairing and digestifs.
Kitchen
An onboard kitchen where the chef plates à la minute.
Restrooms
Well-appointed restrooms on board, no compromise on comfort.
Specifications
Capacity, crew and amenities.
The practical details of Bota Fogo, including skipper and hostess. Elise Rijkes, your dedicated wedding planner, is happy to talk you through them personally.
| Capacity | 12–90 guests |
|---|---|
| Dinner capacity | up to 63 seated |
| Reception capacity | up to 90 standing |
| Crew | Skipper & hostess included |
| Heating | Fully heated |
| Climate | Air conditioning on board |
| Restrooms | Restrooms on board |
| Power supply | 230V, suited to band & catering |
| Sound system | Professional system with microphones |
| Accessibility | Possible on request |
| Covered space | Full saloon |
| Outdoor deck | Fore and aft deck |
Culinary on board
Fine dining on the water.
We work from the Amsterdam Boats catering collection: from a refined chef's dinner to a walking dinner and late-night bites, every menu is tailored to the vessel, your season and guest list.
Suited on board
Full chef-led dinner for up to 60 seated
Suited on board
Walking dinner for up to 90 guests
Suited on board
Oyster bar
Suited on board
Craft cocktail bar
Suited on board
Dessert trolley
Recommended menu line
A four-course chef's dinner with sommelier pairing
Recommended menu line
Truffle croquettes and wagyu sliders later in the evening
Recommended menu line
A signature couple's cocktail as the welcome drink
Moment
Welcome drink on arrival
Moment
Open bar with wine pairing
Moment
Cocktail service on deck
Moment
Late-night bites & digestifs
Recommended concepts
Wedding experiences that bring Bota Fogo to life.
Salon Boat WeddingIntimate canal wedding
Ceremony, dinner and toasts on the historic canals, in one carefully composed evening.
Discover the experience
Markermeer ExperienceCeremony on the Markermeer
Vows exchanged as the horizon opens around you, a full day on open water.
Discover the experience
SignatureGrand Fleet celebration
Two vessels united, one for dinner, one for dancing beneath the stars.
Discover the experienceSuggested timeline
A fully curated wedding day on board.
- 013:00 pm
Boarding with champagne and a welcome bite
Guests received at the Oosterdok, near Central Station, or by the Hermitage.
01 / 08 - 023:30 pm
Ceremony
Vows exchanged in the salon or on deck, with the celebrant aboard.
02 / 08 - 034:00 pm
A toast to the newlyweds
Champagne poured the moment the vows are spoken.
03 / 08 - 044:30 pm
Canapés and drinks
Refined canapés on deck and in the salon, the open Dutch bar in full swing, the boat gliding along the canals.
04 / 08 - 055:30 pm
Dinner and speeches
A seated dinner in the salon, speeches woven between courses.
05 / 08 - 067:30 pm
Stretching your legs ashore
A guided stroll or time on a terrace, while the crew transforms the boat into an evening venue within thirty minutes.
06 / 08 - 0711:00 pm
Back aboard for the party
Evening guests join at the same city mooring.
07 / 08 - 0811:00 pm
Last dance and farewell
Candles burning low, a final toast, the close of a memorable day.
08 / 08
Included
What is included with your floating wedding venue.
Historic vessel
Part of Amsterdam's floating heritage.
Private charter
Exclusively yours, never shared.
Professional crew
Skipper and hostess, discreet and experienced.
Luxury catering
Curated by our culinary partners.
Wedding planner
One personal event manager for the entire day.
Styling & flowers
Fully bespoke, by our atelier.
Music options
From string quartet to DJ on the aft deck.
Photography locations
An iconic route past bridges and facades.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about getting married on board.
What we're most often asked about getting married on board Bota Fogo.
- Is the boat covered in poor weather?
- Yes, this saloon boat is fully enclosed and heated, with panoramic windows, so the celebration continues in any weather.
- Is the ceremony legally binding?
- Ceremonies on board are usually conducted by a celebrant. We are happy to arrange the legal civil ceremony earlier in the day at Amsterdam's town hall, or aboard a registered wedding vessel.
- How many guests does the boat hold?
- See the capacity label: the lower figure is an intimate, comfortable seated arrangement; the higher figure is the maximum standing reception capacity.
- Are food and drink included?
- Every wedding is quoted bespoke. We draw on the Amsterdam Boats catering collection: from an oyster bar and walking dinner to a full chef-led multi-course menu.
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