Getting married aboard a wedding boat in Amsterdam means enjoying a scenic cruise through UNESCO-listed canals. Whether celebrating your wedding or anniversary it’s a romantic way to say, “We DO”! What does a boat wedding experience or cruise arrangement cost?
The charming canals of Amsterdam provide a captivating backdrop to share a special moment with loved ones. But, planning a canal boat wedding is challenging. From locating the floating venue to the final details, getting married aboard a wedding boat, where do you start?
Don’t worry! If you’re seeking a boat wedding arrangement, these options for a marriage celebration or wedding anniversary aboard are perfect. Here are my favourite boat cruises and luxurious canal boat wedding companies in Amsterdam and other areas of the Netherlands.
Getting Married Aboard Amsterdam Boats
What Is A Wedding On A Boat?
Enjoy your open boat trip around Amsterdam canals with my tips. A wedding on a boat can range from a luxurious boat tour to a customised wedding boat arrangement. These options provide top-tier hospitality on Amsterdam’s canals. Most boats have a closed design with the option to partially open the roof. The larger boats are heated, blankets are provided, and a toilet is on board. Classic canal boats provide private wedding ceremonies, making them perfect for elopements, vow renewals, or intimate weddings. Board a boat tour with family and friends. Embark, disembark and sail along a romantic route of love. Say yes while cruising through Amsterdam’s beautiful canals. You and your guests will love it!
How long does a wedding on a boat last?
The duration of a wedding on a boat can vary based on your preferences. Would you like to have a skipper or not? Do you want a private or shared boat? Perhaps an open or closed boat tour? Most boat companies typically offer a minimum cruise time of one hour. You can hire a boat with or without a captain. A private boat is perfect, but a shared boat helps you manage costs. If the weather is suitable, you may consider exploring Amsterdam by a classic open boat. However, if you choose to include a ceremony, the total time may extend to two to three hours. A special wedding boat arrangement can include drinks, both cold and warm snacks, and a walking dinner featuring premium wines and Prosecco. Make it a culinary journey of a lifetime. This is a treat your guests will never forget.
When is the best time for getting married aboard a boat?
Planning a wedding on a boat is exciting, but it brings challenges. Factors such as the season, weather conditions, and official public holidays can impact your plans. Generally, the best time to get married on a boat is during the spring and summer. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, you might consider visiting during an off-peak season, such as autumn or winter. Additionally, national holidays in the Netherlands may affect the availability and pricing for your boat wedding. Lastly, don’t forget to check the weather forecast before finalising your plans. Make the ceremony onboard about you and Ship ahoy! Source: www.knmi.nl – coastal-waters.
The Amsterdam Light Festival
The Amsterdam Light Festival is the perfect time to get married aboard a wedding boat. You can enjoy a cruise during the autumn and winter season. Say “I do” from November 27, 2025, to January 18, 2026. Imagine cruising through the illuminated canals with loved ones. It promises to be a magical experience. For an enchanting light tour through the Amsterdam canals – Get your tickets now!
Are there legalities for getting married aboard a boat?
Imagine taking a river cruise through Avalon and stopping in Amsterdam for a boat wedding. Experience the richness of Amsterdam’s cultural heritage. Sail along the canals with just the two of you. What’s the criteria for getting married on a boat in the Netherlands? Regardless of which cruise liner you and your partner choose. There are legalities for an official nautical wedding. Only Dutch citizens can legally marry on a boat in the Netherlands. Non-Dutch citizens must notify their intent to marry in their home country.
Can I host an informal boat wedding?
Hosting a wedding on a boat, just for the two of you (and maybe a friend), can be tough. To get started, you’ll need to obtain a marriage or civil partnership license. After that, you can have a special wedding boat arrangement. This can be either informal, formal or a non-binding wedding ceremony on the boat. Tip: Check the date and time before booking your boat trip. Last-minute bookings often come with a premium. This means significantly higher fees and costs. Plan ahead to secure the best rates! Find below the best for your combined boat cruise and ceremony.
Wedding on a boat in Amsterdam costs & more!
1. Aemstelland, Amsterdam
from € 695,-
Say “I do” forever by getting married aboard one of Aemstelland.nl’s boats. Choose from Elisabeth, Jean Schmitz, Monne de Miranda, or Hilda for a wedding on a stylish salon boat. These vessels are perfect for either an intimate gathering or a more extravagant wedding event. Picture this: cruising along the Amsterdam canals and stopping to pick up your wedding official or officiant. Aemstelland.nl will take care of all your wishes and organize a beautiful ceremony on board one of their boats. Get ready to say “yes” under the iconic Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug) and create a journey of a lifetime.
2. Amsterdambyboat
request pricing & packages
Getting married aboard a boat is a unique wedding experience. Imagine the stunning canals of Amsterdam on your wedding day, aboard a private boat. Gather your loved ones to create a memorable celebration of your wedding in Amsterdam. Explore the enchanting city from a waterside view and celebrate your marriage. Enjoy picturesque views of flower-filled bridges as you cruise on a Saloon Ship. Ferries transport you and your guests from the ceremony pick-up location to the reception and party venue. This classic cruiser provides everything needed for an unforgettable wedding sailing trip.
3. Boatboatboat.eu, Delft
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“Love is like a ship forever setting sail—shiver me timbers and splice the mainbrace! Plan a wedding on a boat or wedding anniversary, away from the crowds. The historic ships at boatboatboat.eu offer several ports of call around the picturesque waterways of the Netherlands. This can be enjoyed during a scenic cruise in the spring, summer, or fall. Rent a sailing ship with a crew for you and your loved ones, and no sailing experience is necessary. Make getting married aboard a ship truly exciting. Whether it’s your wedding anniversary or honeymoon Boatboatboat.eu provides couples with a unique floating wedding experience. Celebrate love on a Dutch ship and create a romantic ambiance you’ll never forget. It will evoke the charm of years gone by. Check out their prices today!
4. Blue Boat Rental Amsterdam
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Did you know? Getting married aboard a wedding boat in Amsterdam can be done during any season. In spring and summer, you can enjoy scenic canals adorned with blooming flowers and shimmering water reflections. Autumn and winter evening cruises reflect the changing leaves along illuminated canals and highlight the historic features of the city. Blue Boat helps couples create an authentic wedding day that reflects their love for one another. This boat rental company is spilling over with ideas for a magical wedding on the water and boat cruise with family and friends. Blue Boat capacity [± 80 persons]
5. Bootnodig.nl | Getting married aboard
from €45 per hour
Renting a boat for a wedding means you’re ready to say “I do” on board. Step aboard and tie the knot on a wedding boat in Amsterdam—Bootnodig.nl has you covered. Host your wedding and fulfill your dream of a boat wedding on the most significant day of your life. Ask the captain (nicely) to ring the bell as you share your first kiss under the romantic Skinny drawbridge near the Amstel. Bootnodig supplies a wide range of boats, including ships, sailing vessels, and smaller boats, ensuring a unique wedding experience. Enjoy a classic saloon boat ride through the Amsterdam canals or host a lively celebration on a party boat. Let them help you find the ideal boat for your special day. Renting a boat for a wedding is easy with Bootnodig!
6. Classic boat tours, Amsterdam
From 630 per hour
Classic boat tours in Amsterdam allow you and your wedding guests to navigate the authentic canals of Amsterdam. Capture fleeting moments on a private boat (retractable roof) during your nautical-themed wedding (6 – 30 guests).
7. De Muider Compagnie, Muiden
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De Muider Compagnie can make your dreams come true. The sovereign boat awaits you and your loved ones’ presence. Moreover, it’s the perfect start to a chartered boating holiday in NL. This boat cruise will be unforgettable. www.muidercompagnie.nl.
8. Flagship Amsterdam
From € 395
Flagship’s elegant electric salon boats are perfect for hosting a ceremony. Hire them to celebrate a reception and party. There are plenty of boat cruising options to enjoy a memorable day onboard. Please note: many open boat tours are not equipped with toilets, so it is advisable to use restroom facilities prior to boarding.
9. Frisian-sailing, Enkhuizen
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Frisian-sailing.com is a boating company that accommodates couples’ dream wedding days. This boat cruise company is located in the most northern part of Holland. It offers the ideal ‘exclusive’ backdrop for a boat tour adventure.
10. Naupar.nl, Amsterdam
from € 75 p.p.
Naupar.nl gives couples a nautical-themed wedding boat tour experience on a majestic sailing ship. Imagine a romantic wedding boat arrangement on a historic tjalk (classic yacht). Guests will be talking about it for years to come.
11. Rent A Boat Amsterdam
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Did you know that Amsterdam is a diverse city with a rich mix of cultures and religions? So, couples of various backgrounds enjoy getting married aboard a boat. Imagine a special wedding boat arrangement. Rent A Boat Amsterdam provides boat cruises for ceremonies and weddings on the historic canals of Amsterdam. The official ‘ floating venues’ are equipped with a toilet, kitchen and heating. Whether you want a spring, summer, autumn or winter wedding, Saloon Boat Ondine, HRH, Anna Maria, and Bota Fogo are available. Make wedding history aboard a boat in Amsterdam!
12. Rederij de Jordaan – Farahilde
from € 280 (+ €15 pp)
Celebrate getting married aboard Rederij de Jordaan on the charming canals of the World Heritage site. Imagine a wedding on a boat in Amsterdam, surrounded by the enchanting backdrop of the canals. Whether you choose the WELMOED or the FARAHILDE, you’ll enjoy a unique wedding experience to cherish forever. Experience the magic of a wedding on the water.
13. Pure Boats Amsterdam
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Soak up the Amsterdam atmosphere on Pure Boats Amsterdam’s leisure love ship during your elopement wedding day. The Boutique Amsterdam Canal Cruise Company offers a selection of classic, refined, and stylish private canal trips for 2 to 6 guests onboard. Find out about exclusive boat tour options today.
14. Partyship-abel-tasman.nl
from € 1.425,-
Partyship Abel Tasman is a certified boat rental company that offers a luxurious venue for boat weddings in Amsterdam. Celebrate with your family and friends on a boat cruise while enjoying the scenic views of the picturesque canal houses and historic Dutch waterways. Shout “ship ahoy!” and share your joy and happiness in a celebration to remember forever.
15. Rederij Stiphout, Maastricht
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Why not break away from Amsterdam wedding venues and get married aboard Rederij Stiphout in Maastricht? Discover the beauty of Maastricht by water! Located in the south of the Netherlands, Maastricht is the capital city of the province of Limburg. So, what can Rederij Stiphout do for you? It offers striking furnishings to enhance your wedding experience on the water. This boat rental company can accommodate everything from an intimate coastal wedding to a stunning shoreside ship wedding. Enjoy a private floating celebration. The boat can host up to 30 guests or more on your special day. Even better, arrange lunch, drinks, dinner, or even a complete evening party. This is all tailored to each couple’s unique needs. Stiphout features five passenger ships, too. Learn more about boat weddings in Maastricht? Make your boat experience unforgettable by visiting www.stiphout.nl.
16. Rederij Spido, Rotterdam
from € 23.75 p.p.
If you prefer not to have your wedding on a boat in Amsterdam. You could consider saying “I do” against the stunning backdrop of Rotterdam’s skyline aboard Rederij Spido. This floating venue offers a unique wedding experience on the water. Docked at Rotterdam Harbour, Rederij Spido provides a cosy atmosphere for your boat cruise. Make it the perfect setting for your special day. The team at Rederij Spido understands what each couple needs to celebrate with their loved ones. Feel free to contact them to arrange a no-obligation viewing of their ships. Welcome aboard for the most beautiful day of your life!
17. Raderstoomboot De Majesteit, Rotterdam
request packages
Cruise through a scenic waterway in the spring or summertime aboard Paddle Steamer De Majesteit in Rotterdam. Set your timetable and make your boat wedding dream come true on De Majesteit (Majesty). It’s one of the largest cruise ships in Europe. The luxurious boat in nostalgic Dutch style will impress your guests. People describe trips on the historic 1926 paddle steamer ‘De Majesteit’ as unforgettable and impressive experience. Thanks to its nostalgic charm, you are in for a treat. Over 80 metres long and powered by a 750-horsepower steam engine, the vessel cruises smoothly through Rotterdam’s harbour past notable sights. Ideal for your special event such as an anniversaries, parties, or wedding. ‘De Majesteit’ can host up to 600 guests for a memorable experience.
18. Trouwschip.nl
from € 98 euros p.p.
Just the two of us, I hear you say! Imagine taking a river cruise through Avalon and stopping in the Netherlands for a wedding on the water. Celebrate the joys of marriage aboard the Trouwschip. Create unforgettable memories. Enjoy an all-inclusive event for your loved ones against the backdrop of the Dutch waterways, whether on river or sea. Discover popular attractions that other newlyweds often miss. Check the prices now for an extraordinary wedding experience!
19. Willen Jacob, Groningen
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The Willem Jacob is a unique clipper perfect for hosting your wedding on a boat. Designed for active sailing, this ship offers comfortable below-deck accommodation. It’s a fast-sailing ship built in 1889, complete with a cosy fireplace and couches. The restored boat showcases its original charm and is perfect for a special occasion, such as your wedding anniversary. Getting married on board Willem Jacob provides couples with an unforgettable wedding experience. It’s the ideal setting for a memorable day. Enjoy a romantic celebration on the water. Everlasting memories of your love voyage.
While you’re here…
Please leave your thoughts about your boat wedding anniversary in the comment box below.
Good afternoon, how are you?
Due to the present events, we are looking for some other options for our wedding on saturday the 7the of november.
By any chance, do you still have any boat available for 30 people that day?
The starting point would be in Maastricht, just to be accurate
I thank you in advance,
Yours,
Mr M Bajot
Good evening Mr. Merylien Bajot,
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding on 7th November 2020. I’m sure http://www.stiphout.nl or https://trouwen.nl/rederij/maastricht has a boat to hire for your dream wedding.
Good luck!