Can you hold a wedding ceremony on a boat? What's possible on board

Guests take their seats, loved ones gather and the Seine becomes the backdrop to the ceremony. Holding this moment on a boat is possible, but you need to distinguish between a symbolic ceremony and the official, legal marriage ceremony.

A symbolic, non-religious ceremony can be held on board where the boat and its layout allow. For a ceremony with legal effect, the administrative rules are different and must be checked with the relevant authorities.

A symbolic ceremony lends itself well to a boat

A symbolic ceremony can follow whatever order of proceedings the couple chooses. You need to allow space for the celebrant, the couple and the guests, then plan the transition to the drinks reception or the main reception.

What set-up do you need?

Chairs, an aisle, the location of the ceremony and any decoration should be planned according to the space available. A terrace may be an option on some boats, while other layouts favour an indoor room.

What about the legal marriage?

Being on board a boat isn't enough to make a ceremony official. The legal formalities and requirements are separate. What you need to check, therefore, is exactly which type of ceremony you want.

Plan the rest of the day

When the ceremony is followed by a drinks reception and then a dinner, the organisation of the spaces becomes particularly important. A well-thought-out layout lets you move from one moment to the next without needlessly interrupting the reception.