Don’t worry, you don’t need to take sailing lessons or learn a lot of boat lingo to plan a tasteful and beautiful wedding.
In truth, planning a wedding or reception on a boat is very similar to planning a traditional wedding. There are just some things you need to keep in mind when you’re in the planning stages.
Consider the Kind of Boat
When you say that you want to have an amazing wedding on a boat, think about what you really mean when you say boat.
Are you thinking of doing a destination wedding on a big cruise liner with close friends? Do images of friends and family on a riverboat come to mind? Have you considered getting married on a yacht?
The kind of boat you choose to get married on will affect the size and scope of your ceremony.
Consider Your Budget
Let’s face it, weddings can be expensive for the couple getting married. If you’re on a very tight budget for your wedding, getting married or having a reception at sea may not be ideal for you.
Boat rentals aren’t cheap, and you’ll also need to pay money to have the crew on staff, caterers, and other traditional costs associated with a wedding.
Cut Your Guest List
All venues have a seating capacity, and boats are no different. If you plan on having a wedding or reception on a boat try to keep the guest list as tight as possible.
Expense is one reason to keep the guest list low, but comfort is another more important reason to cut down the number of guests.
If things get too crowded, your friends and family won’t have the luxury of being able to step outside to take a breather or a phone call. Space can get tight on boats, and having too many people on board can make for an uncomfortable night.
Plan Your Theme
You can do whatever you’d like for your wedding theme, but keep in mind that you may need to make some adjustments for the boat.
Be sure to talk to the boat’s event staff about their recommendations for decorations. They’ll know the boat inside and out, and they’ll be able to tell you what works best for the venue.
Also, don’t be afraid to play up the nautical theme when you plan your big day! Invites with navy stripes or giving out personalized lifesavers as favors can be a fun way to tie in the sea theme without making it the main focus.
Plan a Cocktail Hour on the Dock
When you’re doing a wedding on land, a late guest or two isn’t a problem. When you do a wedding on a boat that will set sail, being late could mean missing the entire wedding!
Stress the importance of punctuality to your guests. Some may choose to put a “cast off” time on their invites so that people make it a point to be there on time.
If you want to give some of your less punctual guests a little wiggle room on arrival time, plan to have a docked cocktail hour before the ceremony begins.
The cocktail hour will keep your guests entertained and fed, and it’ll give people ample time to arrive.