Ceremony on the open deck
No aisle but the deck, no walls but the wind. The ship lies still at anchor, the officiant speaks, and you exchange vows beneath the open sky.
Outdoor Wedding Amsterdam
An outdoor wedding, with the horizon as your ceremony hall.
The finest outdoor venue near Amsterdam has no address. You'll say "I do" on the open deck of a classic sailing ship or saloon boat, somewhere on the IJ, the IJmeer or the Markermeer. And if it rains? The party simply moves to the heated saloon and the day carries on uninterrupted.
Outdoors, all day long
An outdoor ceremony that doesn't depend on the forecast.
Under full sail, onward
Right after the ceremony, the sails go up. Two hours of sailing across the IJmeer or Markermeer, with canapés on deck and guests at the railing.
An indoor space that sails with you
An outdoor wedding on land means renting a marquee just in case. On board, plan B is built in: a heated, covered saloon with full table seating.
Light you can't book
The golden hour on open water, Amsterdam's skyline backlit at sunset, and sails catching the light. An outdoor venue where the scenery keeps changing all day.
Comparison
Outdoor wedding venues, side by side.
An outdoor wedding in the woods or at an estate
Beautiful, but often means a marquee, rented furniture, portable toilets, and separate suppliers who all need coordinating individually. If it rains, everything has to move.
An outdoor wedding on the water
The deck is your ceremony space, the saloon your reception hall, the galley your kitchen, and the crew your staff. Everything is already there, and the scenery changes with every bend in the water.
Included
Everything an outdoor venue usually lacks.
See where we sail on the sailing areas page, or read more about a wedding venue in Amsterdam on the water.
- On-deck ceremony with a registered officiant aboard
- Covered, heated saloon as backup
- Eight hours' exclusive use of the ship
- Captain, crew and dedicated host
- Dinner or buffet, served on board
- Open Dutch bar all day
- Flowers, linen tables and sound system
- One dedicated wedding planner, on the day too
Frequently asked questions
An outdoor wedding on board, the practical details.
Can you legally have an outdoor wedding on the water?
Yes. A marriage can be legally performed on board as soon as the ship is officially designated as a wedding venue and a registered officiant (a Dutch "babs") is present. We handle the designation and the application with the City of Amsterdam.
What happens in rain or strong wind?
Every ship has a covered, heated interior with seating for all guests at table. In strong wind, the captain chooses a sheltered route, such as the canals or the Amstel instead of the open Markermeer. The wedding day itself always goes ahead.
In which months can you have an outdoor wedding on board?
We sail year-round. From May through September the deck is usable for most of the day; in the shoulder seasons we combine a short outdoor ceremony with dinner and the party in the warm saloon.
How many guests fit at an outdoor ceremony on board?
A classic sailing ship holds 20 to 200 guests, a saloon boat 2 to 60 guests. With two ships combined, up to 400 guests are possible.
What does an outdoor wedding on a ship cost?
Our complete packages cost €10,000 and include eight hours' exclusive use of the ship with crew, ceremony, catering, open bar, styling and a dedicated wedding planner.