All experiences
Grand

4,9from couples who married with us

Full sails above the deck during a grand wedding on boardSkipper at the helm as the ship sails under full sailCanapés served to guests on deck

Historic classic sailing ship or steamship · 60 to 200 guests · 8-hour day sail

The Grand Wedding on the Amsterdam Shores

A day that stretches across the whole horizon.

A large circle calls for a grand setting, and a day given the time to unfold slowly. Aboard a historic classic sailing ship or stately steamship, you set off on a full day's sail past Muiden, Pampus and the Buiten-IJ, with a morning sail, ceremony, sunset and, as evening falls, a second ship drawing alongside carrying the rest of your world.

60 to 200 daytime guests · optionally up to 200 additional evening guests on a second ship Recommended: 8-hour day sail · extendable

For 60 to 200 guests, over a full 8-hour day sail: a historic classic sailing ship or steamship with skipper and crew, a ceremony with celebrant, catering, an open bar, styling and sound all included. A second ship (20 to 200 guests) can optionally extend the evening party.

The experience

What does a wedding day on the water feel like?

Some loves gather a great world around them. Friends from three cities, families from two countries, colleagues who genuinely want to be there. This day gives that world room to breathe, without the celebration ever losing its intimacy.

Early in the morning the first guests are welcomed at the quay. A morning sail passes Pampus and the Buiten-IJ while coffee, fresh orange juice and a light breakfast circulate. The ceremony follows at anchor, vows exchanged beneath the open sky, followed by the champagne toast.

The afternoon stretches out: an afternoon sail with a snack moment, drinks on deck, a curated reception. As the light turns, you glide into the sunset sail, an hour in which no one speaks, only watches.

For the party moment, a second ship can sail in with the evening guests. Two decks, one anchor, a celebration where everyone can move freely deep into the night. Or, if you prefer to keep it intimate, one ship is enough, the deck still quietly turning into a floating dance floor.

This is not a wedding you attend. It is a day you step into.

Enquire about the Grand Wedding

Highlights

Which moments define the day?

  • 01A full day's sail from morning through to sunset
  • 02A ceremony on open water between Muiden, Pampus and the Buiten-IJ
  • 03An optional second ship for 20 to 200 evening guests
  • 04Room for 60 to 200 daytime guests without losing intimacy
  • 05The sunset sail as the hinge between dinner and the party
  • 06A fixed pick-up point for evening guests in the city

The rhythm

How does the day unfold, hour by hour?

  1. 01Reception

    Guests board

    Welcome with bubbles and a luxury welcome bite at the quay in Muiden, Durgerdam or a central city jetty.

  2. 02Morning

    Morning sail

    Lines cast off, course set for the ceremony spot, coffee, fresh juices and a light breakfast circulate on deck.

  3. 03Ceremony

    Ceremony at anchor

    Vows exchanged on open water, led by an experienced celebrant, followed by the champagne toast.

  4. 04Afternoon

    Afternoon sail & snack moment

    Sails hoisted, luxury canapés circulating, the open Dutch bar running throughout.

  5. 05Reception

    Reception on deck

    Seated or walking, family and friends gather, speeches are prepared.

  6. 06Dinner

    Table service

    A chef-prepared buffet or multi-course menu at long linen-dressed tables on deck and in the cabin.

  7. 07Sunset

    Sunset sail

    An hour when the light turns and no one speaks. Speeches ring out in the last blue light.

  8. 08Party

    Party moment, one or two ships

    The deck becomes a floating dance floor. For a second group of guests, a second ship can optionally sail in for a shared celebration across two decks.

  9. 09Farewell

    Mooring and disembarkation

    Both ships moor at the city jetty. Candles low, one last toast, guests drift softly into the night.

Included

What is included?

Everything listed below is part of the arrangement: one planner, one contract, one price. We take care of every part of the day, from the first champagne to the last lantern.

  • Open Dutch bar all day long (30 to 60 guests)
  • Ceremony on board with an experienced celebrant
  • Dinner or lunch on board, prepared by our culinary partners
  • Lavish luxury canapés during drinks and reception moments
  • Floral arrangements and linen-dressed tables
  • Welcome bubbles with a luxury welcome bite as guests step aboard
  • Ceremony bubbles at the moment of the vows
  • Fixed embarkation and disembarkation points, tailored to your route
  • Professional crew, skipper and host or hostess
  • A personal wedding coordinator from first conversation to last dance
  • A breakfast or reception moment on board during the morning sail
  • A snack and reception moment between the ceremony and dinner
  • The sunset sail as a separately marked part of the programme
  • Coordination of arrival and mooring for the optional second ship

Food & drink

What will your guests eat and drink on board?

A fully catered menu on board, composed with our trusted culinary partners and tailored to your season, guest list and dietary wishes.

Morning welcome

Coffee, fresh juices, viennoiserie and a light warm breakfast during the morning sail.

Ceremony, bubbles

Chilled champagne and a luxury welcome bite straight after the vows.

Afternoon snack moment

Circulating luxury canapés, North Sea oysters, house-cured salmon and vegetarian crudo.

Dinner, table service

A chef-composed buffet or multi-course menu at long linen-dressed tables.

Party, two bars

An open Dutch bar all day; with a second ship, a craft cocktail bar on the second deck.

Late night

Warm truffle croquettes, wagyu mini burgers, stroopwafels and pastel de nata.

View the full menus

Decoration

How is the ship styled?

  • One coherent floral concept across both decks, ivory, blush and soft ochre
  • Long candlelit dinner tables, antique brass hurricane lanterns along the rail
  • A floral arch at the mast for the ceremony
  • A dressed 'in-between' zone on the gangway when a second ship joins

Entertainment

What music and entertainment are possible?

  • An acoustic ensemble during the ceremony and morning sail
  • Live jazz or a string quartet during the reception and dinner
  • A roaming saxophonist during the sunset sail
  • A DJ or live band for the evening party
  • Optional fireworks from a third support vessel

Photography

How is the day captured?

  • A ceremony under full sail on open water
  • Golden-hour portraits during the sunset sail
  • Overhead drone footage of one or two moored ships
  • Candlelit speeches on deck
  • Silhouettes dancing in the blue hour

The ship

Which ship hosts the wedding?

One of our own ships, chartered exclusively for a single wedding. We speak of these ships as venues, not transport.

De Titaan, Historic classic sailing ship · 20 to 200 guests

De Titaan

Historic classic sailing ship · 20 to 200 guests

Sister Ship, Second historic classic sailing ship · evening celebration, 20 to 200 additional guests

Sister Ship

Second historic classic sailing ship · evening celebration, 20 to 200 additional guests

Optional upgrades

What can you add separately?

A second ship for evening guests

A second historic classic sailing ship or saloon boat (20 to 200 guests) sails in for the party moment, an illuminated gangway connecting both decks.

Extend to 10 hours

Bring the morning sail forward or stretch the night, more sailing, more sunset, more dancing.

A wedding planner at the helm

Full organisation taken off your hands, one director from invitation to final disembarkation.

A Michelin guest chef

A guest chef from an Amsterdam Michelin-starred kitchen leads the dinner menu.

Midnight fireworks

A choreographed pyrotechnic finale from a support vessel.

Frequently asked questions

What do couples ask us most often?

From an official ceremony on board to dietary wishes, sound, accessibility and changes in guest numbers, speak directly with our planner for any other questions.

+31 20 624 76 35
  • Where and how do evening guests board?

    At one fixed city location, for example Café de Jaren, Hotel de L'Europe, the Hermitage's inner courtyard or the Maritime Museum. Around 30 minutes for boarding; we include one drink, guests pay for the rest themselves.

  • Is a second ship compulsory?

    No. The second ship is an optional upgrade for larger evening groups. This day is a fully composed wedding even without one.

  • How many guests in total?

    The daytime programme holds 60 to 200 guests on the main ship; with a second ship, a further 20 to 200 for the evening programme.

  • What if the weather turns?

    Historic classic sailing ships and steamships have full weather protection and heated interiors. In severe conditions the ship remains moored in sheltered water and the celebration continues.

  • How far in advance should we book?

    Peak Saturdays from May to September are typically reserved 12 to 18 months in advance.

  • Is the ceremony on board legally valid?

    Yes, we work with experienced celebrants and registered wedding ships, even for a full day sail with 60 to 200 guests.

  • Can you accommodate dietary requirements?

    Yes, for every part of the day, breakfast, the snack moment and dinner. Our catering partners cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and religious dietary needs for large groups.

  • How is sound managed with so many guests?

    The ship has professional sound equipment for the ceremony, speeches and evening party, supplemented with extra speakers for larger guest numbers so every part of the deck is reached.

  • Are the ships accessible for guests with reduced mobility?

    The main decks are accessible with assistance. Let us know of any mobility needs in advance so we can plan boarding and any crossing to a second ship accordingly.

  • Which boarding locations do we depart from?

    Standard options are Muiden, Durgerdam or a central city jetty; for large groups we work with you to find the most practical mooring point for coaches or taxis.

  • What if the guest count changes after booking?

    For a day of this scale, we discuss guest number changes promptly with your wedding coordinator, so ship choice, crew and catering volumes continue to fit.

Availability

How far in advance should you book?

Peak Saturdays from May to September are typically booked twelve to eighteen months in advance. We accept a limited number of weddings per season.

WaterbruiloftVeemarkt 185, 1019 CH AmsterdamPhone: +31 20 624 76 35Email: info@amsterdam-boats.comChamber of Commerce: 34331505