Are you searching for an extra special way to cruise into blissful married life? A boat wedding on the world’s most beautiful harbour might just be the perfect location, combining opulence, luxury, romance, privacy and Sydney’s breathtaking natural beauty. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the appeal of boat weddings, delve into the planning process and take a look at our custom boat wedding packages.Â
Why Choose a Boat Wedding on Sydney Harbour?
Imagine exchanging vows in front of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, the harbour shimmering behind you, champagne in the hand of your guests, while gorgeous canapes are being served.Â
Boat weddings are the perfect solution for those couples looking to combine effortless luxury, personalisation, and spectacular views.Â
From night-before stays onboard to get ready with your bridesmaids, to accessible ceremonies with a view, live music for the reception and even a day after recovery party, luxury cruisers and superyachts are the perfect venue for your wedding party and associated events.Â
Sydney Harbour is the single most photogenic location in Sydney and will provide you and your partner with the perfect backdrop for stunning wedding photos and videos you’ll cherish forever.Â
From an intimate wedding ceremony, a transfer between the ceremony and reception, to a pumping wedding reception, Lifestyle Charters knows how to bring your perfect wedding day to life. We’ll work with you to customise and curate your special wedding day and ensure it’s as you always imagined.Â
Planning Your Boat Wedding
There are some important considerations when it comes to the initial stages of planning your perfect boat wedding in Sydney. Here are our top wedding planning tips:Â
Planning Your Boat Wedding
There are some important considerations when it comes to the initial stages of planning your perfect boat wedding in Sydney. Here are our top wedding planning tips:
Choose your perfect wedding boat venue
Choosing your wedding yacht is one of the most critical decisions, but once made, you’ll feel instantly prepared. Booking a luxury cruiser or superyacht for your wedding will define the look and feel of your wedding, the comfort of your guests, and will guide further decisions for your day. While we have our favourite boats, we recommend booking inspections with two wedding boats you’re interested in on the same day to get a feel for which will work best for you. Whilst there, discuss with us (your agent) and the boat charter manager/crew member where, from their experience, the ceremony is best to take place, where the band and dance floor will be located, explore accessibility options for elderly guests if relevant, and what type of florals and styling works well. Make the most of your time on board and ask as many questions as possible. You may even consider bringing an event planner, florist or stylist down to discuss aesthetics if required.
One wedding, numerous events, our perfect solution
As you know, weddings aren’t just about the ceremony and reception. If only it were that easy! Luxury charter boats are the perfect venue for all wedding events, and with some planning, your festival of wedding events will be cohesive, custom and considered. Here are some wedding events perfectly suited to charter boat venues:
- Hens days and nights Bucks days and nights
- Ceremony
- Wedding transfers
- Reception
- 24hr wedding day and wedding night
- 48hr wedding preparation, ceremony, reception and recovery BBQ
- Recovery swim and BBQ
Book ahead to secure the best deal and the wedding venue of your dreams
Have you ever been in two minds about a decision but when suddenly one option gets away from you, its all you can think about? You’re definitely not alone. There doesn’t have to be a compromise with your wedding day if you give yourself the time to plan and book in advance. It’s the age-old story when it comes to weddings, but we’re seeing this more with every event we host on our boats. Bookings are coming in earlier and earlier, and with this dry and hot summer forecasted, boat events are at the top of everyone’s mind. But don’t panic – we’re here to help you organise your dream boat wedding party, and we will deliver!
Different boats for different weddings
There are many different types of boats on Sydney Harbour for every style and size of event – from large luxury superyachts with capacities of 100 plus guests; to intimate luxury cruisers for smaller elopements or gatherings. Whatever your style and group size, we can help find the perfect vessel for you.
Let’s talk about the weather
Like all outdoor events, the weather is a major consideration when planning your perfect wedding day. What you might not know is that most superyachts and luxury cruise boats are the perfect all-weather venues, with most having ample undercover areas.
While October and November remain peak wedding months, we’re noticing a few weather patterns that could shift your desire for a Spring wedding.
- March and April – We are loving March and April on the Harbour at the moment. Less wind, wonderfully warm (if not hot) through the day, and fewer rain days. In 2023, we enjoyed some of our best weather conditions in these months.
- Winter cruising is Sydney Harbour’s best-kept secret. Not only are June and July typically dry, but the light winds and fewer boats on the harbour make the conditions perfect. You’ll also save around 15%+ on charter rates compared to the spring and summer rates.
How much does it cost to have a boat wedding in Sydney?
As boat weddings, events and receptions are all wholly personalised, custom wedding package rates are prepared on request.Â
Each custom quote will take into account the following considerations:
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- The date as each boat has seasonal pricing
- Number of guests as this will dictate the number of crew, catering and beverages required
- How long your event is – perhaps the happy couple would like 24hrs on board with a five-hour wedding reception within; or a simple wedding transfer with champagne and canapes; or a six-hour wedding ceremony and wedding reception on board. Â
- Any added extras you’re interested in the yacht supplying, including musicians, florals, additional hired furniture, styling, catering and beverage options
We’d be happy to put a custom wedding boat hire package together for you based on your individual preferences. You’ll be surprised how well boat wedding party venues stack up budget-wise against their land-based competitors.
Your dream boat wedding inspiration
Need some inspiration for your dream wedding and how a boat wedding would come together? These examples will get you in the mood for a wedding cruise in Sydney
Tika 💙 Talbot
What a wedding! A very big congratulations to this gorgeous couple who were married on Enigma this weekend. Wishing you a wonderful life together.
#weddings #weddingvenue #weddingdress #weddingsydney #sydneywedding #sydneyharbour
Cruise into married life… literally. DM us to work in this gorgeous, seriously photogenic boat, Felix, into your wedding day.
#thisisfelix
#lifestylecharters
#sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourweddings #weddings #sydneywedding #brideandgroom
📸: @karinalee.studio
Mixing land and sea: finding the right boat harbour wedding venue for you
Maybe you’re thinking of mixing land and sea when it comes to your big day, and why not have the best of both worlds! If you’re looking for a land-based ceremony to compliment your dream boat cruise wedding reception, here are a couple of our favourite spots with easy access to wharves:
- Watson’s Bay Hotel – accessible via Watson’s Bay Ferry Wharf
- Dunbar House, Watson’s Bay – accessible via Watson’s Bay Ferry Wharf
- Pier One hotel – with the ultimate harbour bridge views, Pier One is a fabulous wedding venue. Get ready in one of their harbour view rooms, ceremony under the bridge, reception on board a yacht, and afterparty at the Gantry Bar. Bliss! Plus, they have their own private wharf.
- For smaller weddings between foodies, Quay Restaurant is the perfect venue to accompany a yacht ceremony. Our advice – have a spectacular ceremony on board, head to Sydney’s best restaurant, Quay, for a sensational meal, and afterparty in the city. Quay is accessible via Campbell’s Cove wharf.
- Museum of Contemporary Art, Circular Quay – accessible via Commissioners Steps
- Woolwich Deckhouse or Goat Paddock – accessible via its own public wharf
- Wendy Whiteley Secret Garden – accessible via Lavender Bay Wharf
- Balmoral Beach or Bathers Pavilion – accessible via Balmoral Wharf (extra fees apply)
- Double Bay Sailing Club or 18 Footers Skiff Club – accessible via
- Double Bay Wharf
- Manly Skiff Club – Accessible via private pontoon. Note, not all boats are available for Manly pick-ups.
- Cockatoo Island – Accessible via public wharf
- Catalina in Rose Bay – Accessible via Rose Bay Wharf
There is nothing we love more than brainstorming ideas and itineraries for events and we’d love to help you with yours!
Contact Us to Set Sail on Your Wedding Journey
If you’d like to explore what a boat wedding on Sydney Harbour would look like, we’d love to help. We know how tricky and stressful wedding planning can be, so we promise to make it an enjoyable process, supporting you in any way we can; whether it be introducing you to our favourite suppliers, or taking your lead with seamless, easy and reliable support.Â
