What is a salon boat and why is it popular for weddings?

  • Thomas van Loon
  • 🕐 6 min leestijd

A wedding on a salon boat. It might sound like something that only happens in movies, but in Amsterdam it has become one of the most popular wedding venues around. And it’s easy to see why. You glide gently through the canals, surrounded by the city’s most beautiful facades, celebrating with the people who truly matter. In this article, we explain what a salon boat is, why so many couples choose one, and how to plan the perfect day.

What exactly is a salon boat?

A salon boat is a classic vessel with a covered, fully finished interior space — known as the “salon.” Think wooden floors, large windows, comfortable seating, and an atmosphere somewhere between a cozy traditional bar and an elegant reception room. Some salon boats also feature an open rear deck, providing extra space and a wonderful sense of being outdoors.

The key difference from a regular tour boat is the experience. A salon boat is not a tourist vessel. It is a private space on the water, set up entirely for your group. No other guests, no guide with a microphone — just your celebration on the water. All of our salon boats run on electric power, creating a quiet, relaxed atmosphere on board. You hear the water, the music, and the conversation — nothing else.

Why do couples choose a salon boat as their wedding venue?

The most common reason is simply that it’s unique. No venue you’ve seen a dozen times before, no standard wedding location that will be filled with another wedding next week. A salon boat gives you your own world for a day.

But there are more reasons:

  • Amsterdam as your backdrop: The canals, the bridges, the historic facades. You get married in the heart of one of the world’s most beautiful cities, and your guests take it all in from the water.
  • Private and intimate: The boat is yours alone. That sense of exclusivity is hard to match in a restaurant or banquet hall.
  • Everything in one place: Ceremony, dinner, drinks, party. On a salon boat, you combine it all — no need for guests to travel from one venue to another.
  • An atmosphere that creates itself: On a boat, people are close together. Conversations flow more easily, the mood is relaxed, and everyone will remember it for years to come.

If you’re considering getting married on a boat in Amsterdam, a salon boat is the most complete choice for a full wedding day.

How many people can a salon boat accommodate for a wedding?

It depends on the boat. Smaller salon boats can accommodate around 12 to 30 guests, which is ideal for an intimate ceremony with your closest circle. Larger salon boats can take 60 to 150 people, making a full wedding with family and friends entirely possible.

We are one of the few boat operators in Amsterdam with vessels large enough for a complete wedding. Most providers only offer small open boats or compact salon boats. If you’re expecting a larger group, it’s worth researching this well in advance rather than discovering the boat is too small when it’s too late.

What is the difference between a salon boat and other boats for weddings?

There are several types of boats available to hire for a wedding, each offering a different experience. Here’s a quick overview:

  • Salon boat: Covered interior, classic appearance, suitable for dinner and celebrations, protected from the weather.
  • Open tender or skiff: Smaller, more open, ideal for a casual drinks cruise. Less suitable in wet weather.
  • Traditional barge: A charming, traditional vessel. Great for a relaxed, convivial atmosphere with a smaller group.
  • Large event boat: More space, less classic character. Suited to larger groups where capacity takes priority over atmosphere.

For a wedding, the salon boat is by far the most popular choice, combining the atmosphere of a true celebration venue with the unique experience of cruising through Amsterdam.

How much does it cost to hire a salon boat for a wedding?

The price of a package on the water depends on several factors: the size of the boat, the duration of the cruise, the number of guests, and what you’d like on board — such as catering, drinks, a host, and any music or entertainment.

As a general guideline, you can expect:

  • Drinks cruise (1.5 to 2 hours): From approximately €50 to €60 per person
  • Walking dinner or buffet (3 hours): From approximately €110 to €120 per person
  • Three-course dinner (3 to 4 hours): From approximately €120 to €130 per person

For a wedding, most couples opt for a combination: drinks on arrival followed by dinner. The total cost therefore depends heavily on what you have in mind. A custom quote will always give you the most accurate picture.

How do you plan a wedding on a salon boat in Amsterdam?

A wedding on the water requires a little extra planning, but it’s far from complicated if you follow the right steps.

  1. Determine your group size: This determines which boats are available and what the logistics will involve.
  2. Choose your date early: Popular months such as May, June, September, and October fill up quickly. Book at least three to six months in advance.
  3. Think about the program: Do you want the ceremony on the boat as well, or just the reception? Will you combine the cruise with dinner, or drinks only?
  4. Sort out the logistics for your guests: Where do they board? How do they get there? Communicate this clearly ahead of time.
  5. Ask what’s included: Captain, host, catering, drinks. Know exactly what you’re getting and what you still need to arrange yourself.

A good boat operator will take care of all these steps with you. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own when you work with someone who has done this many times before.

How Rederij de Nederlanden helps with your wedding on the water

At Rederij de Nederlanden, we regularly organize weddings on the water, from intimate ceremonies with a small circle to full wedding celebrations with over a hundred guests. We are one of only three boat operators in Amsterdam with vessels large enough for a complete wedding, while most providers make do with smaller open boats or compact salon boats.

  • Fully private: the boat is exclusively for your group
  • Electric cruising: quiet, clean, and relaxed on the canals
  • Tailored catering: from a drinks-and-snacks spread to a three-course dinner on board
  • Captain and host included: you don’t have to worry about a thing
  • Flexible routes: the canals, the Amstel, or the IJ
  • Capacity for small and large groups: from 12 to 150 guests

Want to find out what we can do for your wedding? Read more about who we are and what drives us, or request a quote directly so we can explore together what’s possible on your special day.

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