The setting changes
No hall that looks the same all day. Canal houses give way to open water, and the light turns with the hours.
Wedding on the water
Getting married on the water
A wedding on the water is not a hall with a view, but a day that keeps moving. The setting changes by the hour: a canal during the ceremony, the open IJ over drinks, sunset above the Markermeer at dinner. This page is about that experience, the atmosphere of each moment and the waters a Waterbruiloft day unfolds on.
- A wedding on the water takes place aboard a moving ship rather than at a fixed venue.
- Ceremony, dinner and party all happen on the same ship, with no venue changes for guests.
- We sail the Amsterdam canals, the Amstel, the IJ, the IJmeer and the Markermeer.
- Every ship has a covered, heated interior, which makes the day weather-independent.
The experience
Why does a wedding on the water feel different?
A wedding ashore happens in one room. On the water the surroundings take part: the light, the movement and the route set the rhythm of the day.
Everyone stays together
Nobody slips away on board. Guests who had never met end the sail standing together at the railing.
Outdoors without a marquee
The deck is the outdoor venue, the saloon the backup. No marquee hire, no plan B hanging over the schedule all day.
Arrival as a moment
Mooring is an entrance. Guests board from the quay and the couple arrives by water instead of through a door.
The day
Ceremony, dinner and party in one movement
A wedding on the water has no venue changes. The ceremony takes place while the ship lies still, then the lines come off and drinks begin. During dinner the ship follows a calm route, and the party runs on to the final quay.
Because everything happens on one ship, the waiting time between programme elements that often costs an hour ashore simply disappears. The day keeps its momentum, literally.
- Ceremony while the ship lies at the quay or at anchor
- Drinks on deck during the first sail
- Dinner in the saloon, served by our own staff
- Party with open bar until the arrival quay
Sailing areas
Which water will your wedding unfold on?
Canals and the Amstel
Sheltered, historic and intimate. The route past bridges and canal houses works year-round and is unaffected by wind.
The IJ
Wide water with the skyline, ferries and the Maritime Museum. The golden hour is the strongest moment of the day here.
IJmeer and Markermeer
Open water where the sailing ships run under full canvas. Horizon instead of façades, with Pampus and Durgerdam within reach.
Muiden and Muiderslot
A fortified town on the water, with the castle as a setting for a ceremony or drinks ashore, followed by the sail back.
Atmosphere and styling
What does a day on the water look like?
The ships are furnished in their own character: polished brass, wooden panelling, linen tables and candlelight in the saloon. Styling adds flowers and table dressing without overwhelming the ship itself.
Photographers work with light that shifts all day: bright sun on deck in the afternoon, backlight on the IJ towards evening, and warm interior light during dinner.
Frequently asked questions
A wedding on the water, practically
What is the difference between a wedding on the water and a wedding on a boat?
A wedding on the water describes the experience: a day that unfolds while sailing. A wedding on a boat describes the venue: the ship it happens on. With us they are the same thing, because every wedding takes place on board.
Can guests who get seasick easily join?
On the canals, the Amstel and in the Oosterdok the water is flat and movement is barely noticeable. On the IJmeer and Markermeer the ship can move; when in doubt we choose an inland route.
Can we combine the water with a venue ashore?
Yes. A ceremony in the castle gardens of Muiderslot, on Pampus fortress island or on Vuurtoreneiland can be combined with sailing, dinner and the party on board.
In which months can you marry on the water?
All year. 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 heated saloon.
Read on
From experience to concrete plans
- Read how a wedding on a boat in Amsterdam works
Ceremony, capacity, boarding and timeline in one place.
- See the wedding venue on the water in Amsterdam
The sailing venue compared with a hall ashore.
- See what a wedding on the water costs
What the package covers and what shifts the figure.
- Explore the sailing areas and boarding points
From the canal belt to Muiden and the Markermeer.
- Discover an outdoor wedding on board
An outdoor ceremony on deck without a marquee or plan B.
- Find the ship that suits your party
Saloon boats for 2 to 60 guests, sailing ships up to 200.