Welcome bite with bubbles
A luxury warm bite and chilled bubbles as soon as guests step aboard, prepared by our catering partners.
All experiences
Sailing Ship
4,9from couples who married with us
A full day under sail: Muiden, Pampus, Buiten-IJ
The Sailing Ship Wedding: A Day on Open Water
A whole wedding day, written by wind and horizon.
Some love stories deserve more than a hall. They deserve a horizon. Aboard a historic classic sailing ship, you depart from the picturesque town of Muiden or Durgerdam, exchange vows under sail on open water, and let the day unfold to the slow rhythm of rigging, tide and sun, returning to Amsterdam late into the evening.
20 to 200 guests Recommended: 8 hours under sail · for example 14:00 – 22:00 · extension possible
For 20 to 200 guests, over 8 hours, exclusively chartered: a historic classic sailing ship with its own skipper and crew, a ceremony at anchor with a celebrant, catering and an open bar, styling and sound all included. Board in Muiden, IJburg or Durgerdam; sail across the Markermeer, the Buiten-IJ and towards Pampus.
The experience
What does a wedding day on the water feel like?
The historic classic sailing ship is not a boat you simply hire. It is a piece of Dutch maritime history, oak decks, hemp rigging, cream-coloured sails catching the afternoon light like a chapel window, and for one day it belongs entirely to you.
Your guests board in Muiden (by Muiderslot castle), on IJburg opposite the beach, or in Durgerdam at the De Marke jetty. A glass of bubbles in hand, a luxury welcome bite on a linen napkin. The lines are cast off and the horizon opens.
The ceremony takes place at anchor, no aisle but the deck, no walls but the wind. The celebrant speaks, the vows are exchanged, and the bubbles flow the moment you say 'I do'.
After the ceremony the sails are hoisted and two hours of sailing follow: canapés circulate, glasses are refilled, guests lean against the rail. At anchor, speeches ring out, followed by a buffet served by the crew.
As the sun sinks, the deck quietly turns from wedding to celebration. The crew clears the tables, music swells, and without anyone noticing we slowly begin sailing back. The party continues uninterrupted. Amsterdam glides past in the background until we moor again around ten.
Enquire about the Sailing Ship WeddingHighlights
Which moments define the day?
- 01Ceremony under sail on open water
- 02Two hours of sailing through golden hour
- 03Picturesque boarding in Muiden, IJburg or Durgerdam
- 04Celebration beneath the open Dutch sky
- 05An uninterrupted sail home while the party carries on
- 06Optional pick-up of evening guests in the city
The rhythm
How does the day unfold, hour by hour?
- 0114:00
Boarding with bubbles and a welcome bite
Reception in Muiden, on IJburg or in Durgerdam with bubbles and a luxury welcome bite.
- 0214:30
Sailing to the anchorage
Lines cast off, course set for the ceremony spot. Pampus, Muiderberg or the open Markermeer.
- 0315:00
Ceremony
Vows exchanged on deck, led by an experienced celebrant.
- 0415:30
Toasting with bubbles
A champagne toast straight after the vows, family and friends gathered close.
- 0516:00
Canapés and sailing
Two hours of sailing through golden hour, while luxury canapés and the open Dutch bar circulate.
- 0618:00
Anchoring and speeches
Anchor down, glasses refilled, speeches ring out over the water.
- 0718:30
Buffet service
The crew serve a curated buffet from our catering collection.
- 0819:00
Coffee and drinks in another spot on board
As the crew transform the deck for the party, you move to the bow or aft deck. Any evening guests board at a fixed city location.
- 0919:30
The party
A DJ or live band takes over. The deck becomes a floating dance floor beneath the stars.
- 1021:30
Sailing slowly home
The historic classic sailing ship sets course back, the party continues uninterrupted and most guests barely notice the journey.
- 1122:00
Mooring and disembarkation
Mooring at your chosen city jetty. Candles low, one last toast, home.
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
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.
Luxury drinks moment
Circulating luxury canapés during the sailing phase, from North Sea oysters to Dutch shrimp croquettes and house-cured salmon.
Curated buffet at the table
Served by the crew at long linen-dressed tables on deck, chef-composed and seasonal.
Open Dutch bar
The full open bar runs all day, with wines, beers and the classic Dutch jenever shot.
Late-night bites
Warm truffle croquettes, mini burgers and stroopwafels as the party finds its second wind.
Decoration
How is the ship styled?
- Long linen tables with taper candles and ivory floral arrangements
- Antique brass hurricane lanterns along the rail
- Handwritten menus on soft cotton paper
- A floral arch at the mast for the ceremony
Entertainment
What music and entertainment are possible?
- Acoustic trio for the ceremony and sailing phase
- Live jazz or string quartet during speeches and dinner
- DJ set or live band for the evening party
- Optional fireworks from a support vessel
Photography
How is the day captured?
- A ceremony under full sail, an image no venue on land can offer
- Golden-hour portraits on open water
- Speeches at anchor, guests gathered close together
- Silhouettes dancing in the blue hour
- The sail back into Amsterdam by lantern light
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
Optional upgrades
What can you add separately?
Extend to 10 hours
Bring boarding forward or stretch the sail out, more sailing, more sail, more night.
A second ship for evening guests
A second historic classic sailing ship or saloon boat brings your evening guests and moors alongside for the party.
A wedding planner at the helm
One of our wedding coordinators takes full charge of the organisation, from invitation to final disembarkation.
A tasting evening beforehand
A private tasting of wines, cocktails, cake and canapés with your closest circle.
Photographer, videographer & drone
Our trusted network of visual storytellers for a fully cinematic record of the day.
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 35Is the ceremony on board legally valid?
Yes, we work with a network of experienced celebrants with experience marrying couples on board. They are authorised to legally solemnise your marriage on our registered wedding ships.
Can we invite evening guests who don't sail with us?
Yes. We combine the changeover to party mode (around 30 minutes) with picking up evening guests at a fixed city location such as Café de Jaren, Hotel de L'Europe, the Hermitage's inner courtyard or the Maritime Museum. We include one drink; guests pay for the rest themselves.
Where does the historic classic sailing ship depart from?
Standard options are Muiden (by Muiderslot castle), IJburg (opposite the beach) or Durgerdam (De Marke jetty). We're happy to discuss other locations.
What happens in bad weather?
Our historic classic sailing ships have a covering weather tent and a heated cabin. Barring truly extreme conditions, the day continues seamlessly, simply moving indoors.
How far in advance should we book?
Peak Saturdays from May to September are typically reserved 12 to 18 months in advance. We accept a limited number of weddings per season.
Can you accommodate dietary requirements?
Yes. Our catering partners routinely cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and religious dietary needs. Please let us know per guest at least four weeks in advance.
How is sound and music arranged?
Professional sound equipment is on board for the ceremony, speeches and DJ or live band. On open water there are no noise restrictions as on the canals, so the party can run louder and later.
Is the historic classic sailing ship accessible for guests with reduced mobility?
The main decks are accessible with assistance; narrow stairways below deck are less suited to wheelchair users. Let us know in advance so we can adapt boarding and the day's layout accordingly.
What if the guest count changes after booking?
Up until a few weeks before the wedding, we adjust catering numbers and table layout in consultation with you. Larger changes in guest numbers are discussed with your wedding coordinator, so the ship and programme 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.
