Ample space for a full evening of dancing on board
Back to the fleet
Saloon BoatsWedding venue on the water
Hoop op Behoud
A stately saloon barge with history.
Getting married on the Hoop op Behoud: 12–65 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.
12–65 guestsSaloon BoatsCovered & heatedAll seasons
The story
A private charter, exclusively yours.
Hoop op Behoud is a stately, comfortable saloon barge that has plied the Dutch inland waterways for well over a century. For weddings of between 30 and 65 guests, she offers an imposing yet warm floating venue.
Hoop op Behoud's spacious salon is built for long dinner tables; her upper deck offers a panoramic view across the canal ring. The boat's name — 'hope preserved' — is fitting for a ship kept for occasions such as these.
A great favourite for weddings that pair a mid-sized guest list with a full evening of dancing.
Why couples choose Hoop op Behoud
Moments that can only happen on board.
Two decks, with separate zones for dinner and drinks
A historic vessel with warm character
Suited to
Who is Hoop op Behoud the right wedding venue for?
A stately saloon boat for weddings of 30 to 65 guests, with ceremony, dinner, reception and dancing all under one roof.
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 46 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 Hoop op Behoud, including skipper and hostess. Elise Rijkes, your dedicated wedding planner, is happy to talk you through them personally.
| Capacity | 12–65 guests |
|---|---|
| Dinner capacity | up to 46 seated |
| Reception capacity | up to 65 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
Seated dinner for up to 50
Suited on board
Walking dinner for up to 65
Suited on board
Oyster bar
Suited on board
Craft cocktail bar
Recommended menu line
A multi-course chef's dinner with wine pairing
Recommended menu line
Passed canapés during ceremony and drinks
Recommended menu line
A late-night snack bar on the upper deck
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 Hoop op Behoud 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 Hoop op Behoud.
- 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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