How much does a wedding on a barge cost? The factors that affect the budget

A wedding on a barge might seem easy to cost: you'd think you just need to look at the hire price. In practice, the budget depends on several factors that add up or combine with one another. The number of guests, the length of the reception and the services you choose all play an important part.

It's worth being clear on this: without a boat, a date, timings and a specific format, it wouldn't be reasonable to quote a single price. Two weddings held on the Seine can have very different budgets.

The boat makes up a first part of the budget

A boat's capacity and type directly affect the cost of private hire. A barge intended for a large reception doesn't face the same constraints as a boat for a small gathering. The length of the booking and, where relevant, cruising also need to be taken into account.

The meal and drinks quickly change the budget

A seated dinner, a cocktail reception and a walking dinner all require different organisation. You also need to look at drinks, service and any technical constraints linked to the boat. The choice of caterer should be part of your thinking from the very start.

What services should you plan for?

• catering and service;
• drinks and any bar service;
• music or a DJ;
• decoration and any extra furniture;
• any services linked to the ceremony.

How do you arrive at a realistic budget?

The idea is to start by defining the number of guests and how the day will run. Only then can you compare boats and ask for a consistent quote. This approach avoids comparing offers that don't cover the same services.