Amsterdam is perhaps the most beautiful city in the world to get married in. The canals, the historic canal houses, the water surrounding you everywhere you look. But did you know that you don’t just have to get married beside the water — you can actually sail on it on your big day? Getting married on a boat in Amsterdam is one of the most unique and romantic choices a couple can make. In this article, we take you through five locations that will make your wedding truly unforgettable.
Why getting married on a boat in Amsterdam is so special
You only choose a wedding venue once. And let’s be honest: a hotel ballroom is lovely, but a boat gliding through Amsterdam while you say your vows? Nobody forgets that. The water creates a feeling of freedom and intimacy all at once. You’re together with your guests, literally surrounded by water, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
What makes getting married on the water in Amsterdam even more appealing is the combination of movement and experience. You’re not getting married in one fixed place — you’re getting married on the move. As the boat glides through the canals, you and your guests take in the most beautiful scenery Amsterdam has to offer. Not a static venue, but a living backdrop that constantly changes.
There’s also a practical advantage many couples overlook: a boat combines the ceremony, the dinner, and the transportation all in one. No fussing with minibuses or taxis. Everyone steps on board and stays in the same place. That saves a great deal of logistical hassle and gives the day a natural, relaxed flow.
1: The Amsterdam canals as a romantic backdrop
The canals of Amsterdam are arguably the most iconic setting you can choose for a wedding on the water in Amsterdam. Narrow waterways lined with centuries-old canal houses, flower-adorned bridges, and houseboat gardens drifting past. It’s a backdrop you simply cannot recreate.
The Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht are the three most famous canals and form the classic route. Every season brings its own charm: in spring the trees along the quayside are in bloom, in summer everything glows golden, and in winter the Amsterdam Light Festival casts its glow across the water.
For a wedding on a boat in Amsterdam along the canals, there is one practical limitation: each boat may carry a maximum of 60 passengers. We are one of the few boat operators in Amsterdam with vessels large enough to accommodate a full wedding party. Most operators only offer small rowboats or salon boats, but we can take the entire group on board. For larger weddings, we combine multiple boats so that no one has to miss out.
2: Getting married on the Amstel with open views
If you want a little more space than the canals offer, head out onto the Amstel. This river, which flows through the heart of Amsterdam, has a completely different feel: wide stretches of water, open skies, and a calmer pace. You see the city from a different perspective, with the skyline and the distinctive Magere Brug in the background.
The Amstel is ideal for couples who love open space. Larger boats can cruise here comfortably, opening up more possibilities for a full sit-down dinner or a festive drinks reception on deck. Imagine a walking dinner as the sun sets over Amsterdam. Moments like that are priceless.
Take a look at our packages if you’d like to know which catering options we offer on board — from a fully served three-course dinner to drinks with appetizers. Anything is possible, and the boat is entirely yours.
3: The IJ for an industrial-romantic wedding
The IJ is the large body of water to the north of Amsterdam Centraal Station and has a character all its own. Where the canals are atmospheric and intimate, the IJ is grand and industrial. Historic harbor cranes, the NDSM Wharf, the modern architecture of Amsterdam-Noord: it’s a setting that suits couples who aren’t afraid to go off the beaten path.
The IJ also offers more room for larger vessels, meaning you can sail with a sizable group without it feeling crowded. A wedding venue on the water in Amsterdam doesn’t have to be small and intimate. The IJ provides the space for a grand celebration with an industrial-romantic atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else.
The IJ is also where you pass the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam, one of the most impressive waterfront buildings in the city. As a backdrop for wedding photos, it is absolutely stunning.
4: Sailing to the Zaanse Schans for a fairytale wedding
Looking for something truly unique? Then a boat trip to the Zaanse Schans is an option most couples don’t even consider — but one that is absolutely worth it. Green wooden houses, windmills turning in the breeze, and a quintessentially Dutch landscape you won’t find in any other city.
The Zaanse Schans is about an hour’s sailing from Amsterdam. That means the journey itself takes up a significant part of the day, giving the whole experience an adventurous quality. Your guests go on a real voyage, not just a night out. Along the way, we serve snacks and drinks so the atmosphere is already in full swing before you even arrive.
Our larger vessels have a wider sailing range than most Amsterdam boat operators. While competitors limit you to the canals, we also sail beyond the city. That’s what makes fairytale routes like this one possible.
5: The IJsselmeer for a grand wedding experience
The IJsselmeer is for couples who truly want to think big. This inland lake — one of the largest in Europe — offers an incredible sense of space and freedom. No city crowds, no tourists, just water as far as the eye can see and a horizon that takes your breath away.
Sailing on the IJsselmeer is a very different experience from sailing on the canals. The waves are larger, the wind feels freer, and the silence is something else entirely. For couples who love nature or who want something that truly goes beyond the ordinary, this is a dream location.
From Amsterdam, you reach the IJsselmeer via the North Sea Canal or through Muiden. Along the way, you pass Muiderslot, a medieval castle that looks as though it stepped straight out of a fairy tale. Scenes like that turn your wedding day into a film.
How to plan your dream wedding on the water
A wedding on the water requires a little extra planning compared to a traditional venue. Here are the most important steps at a glance:
- Determine the size of your party. This determines which boat and which route are possible. On the canals we can accommodate up to 60 people per boat; for larger groups we combine multiple boats.
- Choose a date and check availability early. The most popular months — May, June, and September — fill up quickly. Book at least six months in advance.
- Decide on your route. Canals, Amstel, IJ, Zaanse Schans, or IJsselmeer? Each route has its own atmosphere and duration.
- Think about catering. From drinks with appetizers to a fully served three-course dinner — everything can be arranged on board.
- Arrange the officiant. A wedding on a boat is perfectly legal, as long as the boat is moored at the time of the ceremony or is sailing within the municipality of Amsterdam.
- Communicate with your guests about boarding. Clearly let everyone know where and at what time they can come on board.
How Rederij de Nederlanden helps you get married on the water
At Rederij de Nederlanden, we take care of everything surrounding your wedding on the water — from your very first question to the last glass of champagne on board. We are one of only three boat operators in Amsterdam with vessels large enough to host a full wedding, while most other providers limit you to small salon boats or rowboats.
- Boats for groups of 12 to 175 people, fully private
- All routes available: canals, Amstel, IJ, Zaanse Schans, and IJsselmeer
- On-board catering ranging from drinks and appetizers to a fully served three-course dinner
- Includes captain, host/hostess, and full crew
- Fully electric sailing: quiet, clean, and relaxed
- Fully customizable: you choose the route, the menu, and the timing
Want to find out what we can do for your wedding? Get to know us and discover how we’ve been creating unforgettable moments on the water for over ten years. Or get started right away and request a no-obligation quote. We’d love to help you plan the perfect day.