Ceremony on deck
The ship lies still at the quay or at anchor. The officiant speaks on the open deck or in the saloon, with guests seated in a half circle around the couple.
Wedding on a boat
Getting married on a boat in Amsterdam
Waterbruiloft hosts complete weddings aboard its own fleet in Amsterdam and the surrounding waters. The ceremony on deck, dinner in the saloon and the party while the city glides past: it all happens on one ship, with one dedicated wedding planner and one crew. This page explains what a wedding on a boat means in practice, from the legal ceremony to boarding points, weather and cost.
- Waterbruiloft sails an own fleet of historic saloon boats, classic sailing ships and luxury sloops.
- A saloon boat seats 2 to 60 guests, a classic sailing ship 20 to 200 guests.
- A complete wedding package costs €10,000 and includes eight hours' exclusive use of the ship.
- A legal ceremony on board is possible once the ship is designated as a wedding venue and a registered officiant is present.
- Sailing areas are the Amsterdam canals, the Amstel, the IJ, the IJmeer and the Markermeer.
A complete wedding on the water
What does a wedding on a boat actually involve?
A day on board unfolds in four movements. The ship is in turn ceremony space, reception, restaurant and dance floor, without guests ever having to move venue.
Sailing and drinks
After the vows, the lines come off. Two to three hours of sailing through the canals, along the Amstel or across the IJ, with champagne and canapés on deck.
Dinner in the saloon
The saloon becomes a dining room with long or separate tables. Dinner comes out of the galley on board and is served by our own staff.
The party to the final quay
After dessert the tables move aside. DJ or live music, an open bar, and arrival at the final quay where guests step ashore.
A legal ceremony on board
Can you legally marry on a boat in Amsterdam?
Yes. A marriage or registered partnership can be legally solemnised on board as soon as the city designates the ship as a wedding venue and a registered officiant (a Dutch "babs") is present.
We arrange the designation and the application with the City of Amsterdam. Bringing your own officiant is also possible; they then need to be sworn in by the city for that single day. Witnesses sign on board, at the same table that later carries dinner.
- Designation of the ship as a wedding venue arranged by us
- Registered officiant on board, or your own officiant
- Ceremony on deck or in the heated saloon
- Signing and witnesses on board
Which ship suits you?
Saloon boat or sailing ship: the difference at a glance
The fleet consists of historic saloon boats, classic sailing ships and luxury sloops. Guest count and preferred sailing area determine which ship fits.
| Ship type | Guests | Sailing area | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historic saloon boat | 2 to 60 | Canals, Amstel, IJ | Ceremony and dinner in the heart of the city, whatever the weather |
| Classic sailing ship | 20 to 200 | IJ, IJmeer, Markermeer | Larger weddings, outdoor ceremonies and sailing under canvas |
| Luxury sloop | Small groups | Canals | A proposal, guest transfer or an intimate ceremony |
| Two ships together | Up to 400 | IJ and Markermeer | Weddings where one ship is not enough |
Full specifications per ship, including capacity and layout, are listed on the ship pages and in the fleet comparison.
Sailing through Amsterdam
Where does a wedding in Amsterdam sail?
The canal belt
The historic centre, its bridges and canal houses. Calm water, always sheltered, and walking distance from most hotels.
The Amstel
Wide water with the Magere Brug, the Amstel Hotel and the bend towards Ouderkerk. A favourite route between ceremony and dinner.
The IJ and Oosterdok
Open water with the skyline, ferries and the Maritime Museum. The setting for golden-hour photographs.
IJmeer, Markermeer and Muiden
Open water for the sailing ships, with Pampus, Durgerdam and Muiderslot castle within reach for a ceremony or drinks ashore.
Practical
Boarding, parking and the timeline
Regular boarding points include the Amstel by the Magere Brug, the Maritime Museum, the Houthavens, IJburg, Durgerdam and Muiden. We choose the quay that suits your route, guest count and how guests travel in.
For each boarding point we share the nearest car park and the tram, metro or ferry stops in advance, so guests board without searching. A wedding on board usually runs eight hours, from welcome to disembarking.
- 2.00 pm welcome with champagne on the quay
- 2.30 pm ceremony on deck or in the saloon
- 3.30 pm sailing with drinks and canapés
- 6.00 pm dinner in the saloon
- 8.30 pm party, open bar and music
- 10.00 pm arrival and disembarking
If the weather turns
What happens when it rains or blows hard?
Every ship has a covered, heated interior with table seating for all guests. In rain the setting moves from deck to saloon and the day continues undisturbed; nothing has to be cancelled or rebooked.
In strong wind the captain picks a sheltered route, the canals or the Amstel instead of the open Markermeer. That decision is made together with your wedding planner, usually on the morning of the day.
Cost
What does a wedding on a boat cost?
A complete wedding package costs €10,000. It includes eight hours' exclusive use of the ship with crew, the ceremony, dinner, the open bar, styling and a dedicated wedding planner who is also present on the day.
Individual elements within an existing wedding day, such as a guest transfer or a drinks cruise, are on request. A full breakdown of costs and the variables that influence them is on the cost page.
- Eight hours' exclusive use of the ship
- Captain, crew and a dedicated host
- Ceremony with an officiant on board
- Dinner or buffet from the galley on board
- Open Dutch bar throughout the day
- Flowers, linen and sound system
- One dedicated wedding planner, first call to final quay
Frequently asked questions
Getting married on a boat, answered
Can you legally marry on a boat?
Yes. The ceremony is legally valid once the city designates the ship as a wedding venue and a registered officiant is on board. We arrange the designation and the application.
How many guests can join?
A saloon boat holds 2 to 60 guests, a classic sailing ship 20 to 200. With two ships combined, up to 400 guests are possible.
How long does a wedding on a boat last?
A complete package runs eight hours, from welcome on the quay to disembarking. Shorter elements, such as a ceremony cruise or transfer, are available on request.
Can we have dinner on board?
Yes. Dinner is prepared in the galley on board and served in the saloon. Plated dinner, buffet and walking dinner are all possible.
Can we bring our own officiant?
You can. Your own officiant needs to be sworn in by the City of Amsterdam for that one day. We guide that application.
Where can we board?
Among others at the Amstel by the Magere Brug, the Maritime Museum, the Houthavens, IJburg, Durgerdam and Muiden by the castle.
What does a wedding on a boat cost?
A complete package costs €10,000, including ship, crew, ceremony, dinner, open bar, styling and wedding planner. Individual elements are on request.
What happens in bad weather?
All ships have a covered, heated interior with full table seating. The day goes ahead; only the setting moves from deck to saloon.
Read on
Explore the possibilities
- Explore weddings on a saloon boat
Covered and heated, 2 to 60 guests, in the heart of the city.
- Read about weddings on a classic sailing ship
An outdoor ceremony on deck, up to 200 guests on open water.
- See how a registered officiant on board works
Designating the ship and the legal ceremony.
- See the wedding venues on the water in Amsterdam
What sets a sailing venue apart from a hall ashore.
- Read why a wedding on the water feels different
The experience of a wedding day that keeps moving.
- See what a wedding on a boat costs
The full package breakdown and its variables.
- Browse the ships in our fleet
Saloon boats, classic sailing ships and sloops with capacity and layout.
- View the wedding packages on board
Complete weddings, proposals, rehearsal dinners and transfers.
- See a wedding in the Amsterdam canals
The sheltered sailing area in the heart of the city.
- See a wedding on the IJ and the IJmeer
Open water for larger parties, with Pampus and Muiden in reach.
- See the catering and menus on board
Dinner, buffet and walking dinner from our own galley.
- Discover the options for an outdoor wedding
An outdoor ceremony on deck, with the saloon as backup.