Welcome bite with bubbles
Chilled bubbles with a warm luxury bite on arrival.
All experiences
Saloon Boat
4,9from couples who married with us
Canal ring or Buiten-IJ · 8-hour day sail
A Complete Wedding on a Historic Saloon Boat
The city, in candlelight, as your witness.
Some weddings are not meant to fill a ballroom. They are meant to fit perfectly into one golden afternoon and evening, an intimate circle of the people you love, a mahogany saloon lit by candlelight, and four centuries of Amsterdam drifting silently past the windows.
Up to 60 guests · ideal between 20 and 40 Recommended: 8 hours total · for example 15:00 – 23:00 · extension possible
For up to 60 guests, over 8 hours, exclusively chartered: a classic saloon boat with skipper and crew, a ceremony on the UNESCO canal ring with a celebrant, catering, an open bar, styling and sound all included. Board at Oosterdok, Central Station or the Hermitage.
The experience
What does a wedding day on the water feel like?
Amsterdam's canals were dug four centuries ago as the world's most beautiful trading street. By candlelight, from the polished saloon of a heritage vessel, they feel more like a private cathedral.
Your saloon boat is exclusively chartered. Guests board in the historic centre with a glass of bubbles and a luxury welcome bite, entering a saloon warmed by lantern light and dressed in linen and flowers.
The ceremony follows shortly after, vows exchanged as the city slowly slides by, celebrant on board, bubbles at the moment of the vows. Speeches are given at the table over dinner.
After dinner, you stretch your legs ashore, with a guide at a favourite spot in the city, or informally on a terrace. Anyone who prefers to stay on board, stays on board. Meanwhile, the crew complete the changeover within 30 minutes: tables out, DJ booth in.
At the same fixed city location, additional evening guests board. The saloon boat turns into a floating club, dancing on into the night, lights low, the canal ring reflected twice in the water.
Enquire about the Saloon Boat WeddingHighlights
Which moments define the day?
- 01A ceremony while sailing across the UNESCO canal ring
- 02A mahogany saloon by candlelight, dressed exclusively for you
- 03A guided walk ashore while the crew complete the changeover
- 04Evening guests board at one fixed city location
- 05Dancing on late into the night
- 06Ideal boarding points: Oosterdok, Central Station, the Hermitage
The rhythm
How does the day unfold, hour by hour?
- 0115:00
Boarding with bubbles and a welcome bite
Reception at Oosterdok (opposite Amrâth Hotel), by Central Station or at the Hermitage.
- 0215:30
Ceremony
Vows exchanged in the saloon or on deck, with the celebrant on board.
- 0316:00
Toasting with bubbles
Ceremony bubbles, family and friends gathered close.
- 0416:30
Canapés and drinks
Luxury canapés on deck and in the saloon, the open Dutch bar open, the boat gliding through the canals.
- 0517:30
At the table and speeches
A seated dinner in the saloon, speeches between courses.
- 0618:15
Two courses served
A chef-prepared multi-course menu or walking reception, served by the crew.
- 0719:30
Stretching your legs ashore
A guide leads you to a favourite spot in the city, or an informal terrace. Prefer not to walk? Stay on board or ashore, entirely your choice.
- 08In between
Changeover on board (max. 30 min)
Meanwhile: tables out, DJ booth in, the boat cleared, music on. The crew turn the dinner setting into a dance floor within 30 minutes.
- 0920:30
Back on board for the party
At the same city location, evening guests board and the celebration continues straight into the party.
- 1023:00
Disembarkation and close
The end of a memorable day. 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.
Canapé reception
Circulating luxury canapés on deck and in the saloon. North Sea oysters, tartare, house-cured salmon, vegetarian crudo.
Seated multi-course dinner
A two- or three-course chef's menu, served at long linen-dressed tables in the saloon.
Open Dutch bar
Wines, beers, jenever and classic cocktails, running throughout the day.
Late-night bites
Warm truffle croquettes, mini burgers and stroopwafels during the party.
Decoration
How is the ship styled?
- Ivory taper candles and antique brass candelabra on the saloon table
- A soft, low floral runner of ivory ranunculus, garden roses and trailing greenery
- Handwritten menus and place cards on soft cotton paper
- Lanterns along the aft deck for the evening
Entertainment
What music and entertainment are possible?
- Solo classical guitarist or harpist during the ceremony
- A live jazz duo or singer during dinner
- A compact DJ set on the aft deck for the party
- Optional pianist on a piano barge at the quay for the reception
Photography
How is the day captured?
- Ceremony imagery with Amsterdam's canal houses passing behind you
- Golden-hour portraits on the aft deck along the Prinsengracht
- A quiet moment beneath the Magere Brug in the blue hour
- Interior details of the candlelit, dressed saloon
- Dancing under lantern light as the boat drifts home
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.
Classic Saloon Boat
Covered saloon · up to 60 guests
Classic Sloop
Open sloop · ideal for a first encounter or guest transfer
Optional upgrades
What can you add separately?
Extending the day
Earlier boarding or a later finish, for example continuing until 01:00.
A second ship for extra evening guests
A second boat moors alongside at the party location for larger evening groups.
A wedding planner at the helm
Full organisation taken off your hands from invitation to close.
A tasting evening
A private tasting of wines, cocktails, cake and canapés beforehand with your closest circle.
A classic sloop as a transfer
A classic sloop brings guests directly from their hotel to the boarding jetty.
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 35Where do we board?
Standard options: Oosterdok (opposite Amrâth Hotel), by Central Station or at the Hermitage. We're happy to discuss other spots.
Is the ceremony legally valid?
Yes, we work with a network of authorised celebrants experienced in marrying couples on board. Several ships in the fleet are registered as wedding venues.
Can extra evening guests join us on board?
Yes. At the same fixed city location where the changeover to party mode takes place, evening guests board around 30 minutes before the party begins.
What if it rains?
Every saloon boat is fully enclosed and heated, with panoramic windows. The celebration remains beautiful in any weather.
Can we continue for longer?
Extra hours are easy to add. The party can also continue after the sail at a partner venue in a canal house or private club.
Can you accommodate dietary requirements?
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and religious dietary needs are standard in our catering partners' menus.
How is sound and music on board arranged?
The saloon has a built-in sound system for the ceremony, speeches and background music. Noise agreements with the municipality apply on the canals; our skipper and host or hostess manage this during the sail.
Is the saloon boat accessible for guests with reduced mobility?
The main saloon and deck are wheelchair-accessible with assistance via a gangway. Let us know in advance and we'll choose a boarding point with a level jetty.
How many months in advance should we book?
Peak Saturdays from May to September are typically reserved 12 to 18 months ahead; outside peak season this can be shorter.
What if the guest count changes after booking?
Up until a few weeks beforehand, we adjust table layout, catering numbers and open bar capacity. Larger changes are discussed with your wedding coordinator, mindful of the maximum of 60 guests on board.
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.
