Getting married on board a flat-bottomed sailing ship
10 h€ 3500-12000 Active
A ceremony and reception on a historic flat-bottomed vessel, with guests sailing along, a skipper at the helm and the horizon as the backdrop for the vows.
Getting married on a flat-bottomed sailing ship is not a standard venue, and that is exactly the point. The ship departs from a harbour on the IJsselmeer or the Wadden with the couple, their guests and the officiant on board. Along the way, the ceremony takes place on the aft deck or in the hold, depending on the weather. The skipper moors at a quiet spot or sails slowly on during the exchange of vows.
After the ceremony, a reception follows on deck, with catering brought on board or supplied from the shore. A photographer uses the sails, the rigging and the water as a backdrop. At the end of the day the ship returns to its home harbour, or the couple stays the night on board. The guests will not have seen a conventional hall, but a sailing day they are unlikely to forget.
Checklist
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Trouwambtenaar op water geregeld
Platbodem en gastenaantal geboekt
Proefvaart met team gedaan
Catering aan boord bevestigd
Gasten geinformeerd over kleding
Slechtweer plan klaar
Handy & partners
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Check with your local municipality whether a civil registrar is willing to perform a ceremony on the water, as some municipalities permit this within their jurisdiction.
Reserve a flat-bottomed vessel through BootBootBoot for the required number of guests and ask about ships that are registered as an official venue.
Plan a trial sail in advance with the photographer, officiant and master of ceremonies to decide on the spots to use on board.
Arrange catering that can operate on board, think cold buffet, finger food and a mobile bar.
Send guests clear instructions about dress code, flat shoes and arriving on time.
Plan a backup for bad weather, for example holding the ceremony inside in the hold or adjusting the route.
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For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Ask about a ship with a spacious saloon for the dinner.
- Plan the ceremony around sunset for the best light in photos.
- Allow extra time for boarding and disembarking as with large groups this can easily take thirty minutes.
- Ask the skipper to coordinate the music on board with the ceremony.
Variations
- - Houd alleen de ceremonie aan boord en het feest aan wal.
- - Doe een kleine ceremonie met getuigen en sluit aan met een groter feest.
- - Combineer met een dagvaart de volgende dag voor het bruidspaar en hun ouders.
by PlayTryBe team