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Lana Marie Photography

Wedding planning ideas start flowing the moment a couple gets engaged. There is usually some idea of what the couple desires as their venue, but for those looking for a unique wedding venue on the water, enjoying sailing, and watching sunsets over the ocean, a boat wedding might be a great choice. The beautiful scenery is already set for you, creating an intimate and extra romantic atmosphere. For those considering a luxury boat wedding, we will address key ideas to keep in mind.

When comparing a typical wedding to a luxury boat wedding, there are more logistics and factors to consider. A wedding celebration on a moving vessel requires additional planning and consideration of various factors to ensure a flawless experience.

Organizing a wedding on the water involves working within the limitations of the specific vessel and taking environmental and weather changes into account. It is advisable to seek expert advice for tips, tricks, and the most crucial things to consider before you set sail and say “I do”.

How to Plan a Luxurious Boat Wedding

Planning a boat wedding isn’t quite the same as hosting a party at a traditional venue. There are several factors to consider for a smooth sailing:

1. Choose Your Perfect Luxury Boat
Selecting the right yacht or boat is the foundation of having a successful wedding on a cruise. Consider the number of guests, the ambiance you envision, and the amenities you desire. Imagine how it will look on the day of your wedding. Dreaming of open sky decks and ocean views? Planning on a small dance floor? Looking for space to offer a unique and fun experience like a whiskey tasting or cigar rolling? Considering a lounge area to connect and chat with guests? Answering all these questions will help you pick the one.

2. Curate the Guest List
When it comes to guests, it is essential to come to a certain number. Establishing a guest count early on gives you a fair sense of expectations and resources to carry on board.

3. Pictures to Cherish Memories Forever
One very important checklist on your wedding day is to get beautiful pictures so that you can cherish those memories forever. You might be envisioning an intimate picture with your partner along with the sunset in the background. Don’t hesitate and share your expectations with your photographer. Also, let them know they’re going to work around in a non-traditional yacht wedding environment.

4. Money Matters
When it comes to budgeting, it becomes quite essential to establish a budget range and stick to it. Identify your priorities and spend on them first. Sure, emergency costs arise on the big day but then planning would help you assess if you’d be able to handle the cost or not.

5. Repress Stress
We understand that the stress of planning everything can be too much sometimes. But at the end all that matters is how happy you are on the big day. It’s your wedding, your day and you are supposed to enjoy it to the fullest. If your budget allows, hire an event planner and you’ll be good to go.

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Sail Away With Me Charleston South Carolina bride
Lana Marie Photography

Boat Options to Get Married
Depending on your guest list, budget and vision, you can choose from a variety of boat options for your wedding day.

1. Yacht Wedding
A wedding on a luxury yacht provides for an excellent ceremony with fantastic views. Think about the guest list first and then plan for your reception on the water. Is the yacht according to your expectations? Does it have enough room for a great guest experience? Does it have enough facilities? Answering all these questions will allow you to make a decision.

2. Charter Boat Wedding
When choosing a charter boat, keep the size of it in mind. Moreover insurance will also be required. Most charter boats have a very specific time frame for when they can depart a port or marina, whether it’s based on tides, locks, or marina rules, so this can dictate your event timeline.

3. Cruise Wedding
If you’d choose a cruise wedding, it naturally means you’d be expecting a large guest size and a much bigger boat. This means you’d have the ship staff on board too. You can always ask for a private space for the ceremony as well. Things to keep in mind are logistics, on-board resources, rules of the cruise and the nuptial regulations on the water.

Things to Consider

● Explore different venue options and choose what suits you best.
● Assess the accessibility of the boat and the perks they provide.
● Make sure there’s clear communication between the guests and you so that everything works smoothly on the big day.
● Consider weather patterns on your wedding day as it may affect the water levels.
● Assess the maritime services and amenities that may enhance your boat wedding experience.
● It’s also a good idea to have motion sickness remedies on board in case the water’s current makes your guests a little queasy.

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