Ship and crew
Exclusive use of the whole ship, with skipper and deckhands. No shared sailings, no other groups on board.
Practical
Hiring a boat for a wedding in Amsterdam
Hiring a boat for a wedding works in two ways: the ship with crew only, or a complete wedding day in which ship, ceremony, dinner, bar and planning come together. We mostly do the second, because a wedding rarely stops at sailing. This page sets out what you hire, what it costs and how booking works.
- Waterbruiloft does not hire out boats without crew: every ship sails with its own skipper and service staff.
- A complete wedding package costs €10,000 and includes eight hours' exclusive use of the ship.
- The fleet holds historic saloon boats, classic sailing ships and luxury sloops, for 2 to 200 guests.
- We hold a date on option, free of obligation, for fourteen days.
- Booking is confirmed with a deposit; the balance is settled before the wedding day.
What you hire
What comes with the ship
Hiring a boat for a wedding with us means the ship including the people who sail it and run the day.
Ceremony and designation
The application to have the ship designated as a wedding venue, plus the ceremony set-up on deck or in the saloon.
Catering and bar
Drinks, dinner and open bar from the galley on board, served by our own staff.
Planning and coordination
One dedicated wedding planner who arranges route, timeline and suppliers, and who is on board on the day.
Booking
How booking works
After your enquiry you receive a personal wedding plan within 24 hours, with a proposal for ship, route and timeline. We hold the chosen date on option for fourteen days, free of obligation.
On confirmation the booking is secured with a deposit; the balance is settled before the wedding day. We then plan a sailing briefing and, closer to the date, a visit on board to walk through the layout and the timeline.
- Personal proposal within 24 hours
- Fourteen-day option on your date
- Booking secured with a deposit
- Visit on board and a final run sheet
Price guide
What does hiring a boat for a wedding cost?
The figure depends on what the day includes. The guide below applies to exclusive use with crew.
| Format | Duration | Guests | Guide price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete wedding package | 8 hours | Up to 200 | €10,000 all-in |
| Ceremony and drinks cruise | 3 to 4 hours | Up to 60 | On request |
| Dinner cruise | 4 hours | Up to 60 | On request |
| Guest transfer between venues | 1 to 2 hours | Up to 40 | On request |
The complete package includes ship, crew, ceremony, catering, open bar and wedding planner. A full breakdown is on the cost page.
Frequently asked
Hiring a boat for a wedding
Can we hire a boat without a crew?
No. All our ships sail with their own skipper and crew, which is also a legal requirement for historic vessels.
How far ahead should we book?
For a Saturday in high season we advise twelve to eighteen months ahead. Weekdays and the shoulder seasons are often available at shorter notice.
Can we bring our own catering or drinks?
Catering and bar are ours, on board. A cake, a wine with meaning or a particular spirit can be included by arrangement.
What happens in extreme weather?
Sailing almost always goes ahead; only in a red weather warning does the skipper adjust the route or stay alongside. The party continues on board.
Can we see the ship beforehand?
Yes. After booking we plan a visit on board to walk through the layout, the ceremony spot and the timeline.
Read on
Next step
- See what a wedding on a boat costs
The full make-up of the €10,000 package.
- Compare every ship by capacity
Saloon boats, sailing ships and sloops side by side.
- View the wedding packages
Complete weddings on a saloon boat or sailing ship.