Choosing an Istanbul wedding boat is like choosing a venue, with one difference: the venue floats and moves. Boats on the Bosphorus range from sleek yachts to large two- and three-deck event boats, and the right one depends on a few practical questions. Here is how we help couples decide.
Start with the guest count
Everything follows from the number of guests. As a starting point:
- Up to about 40 guests: a motor yacht. Intimate, elegant, perfect for small weddings, proposals and after-parties. See small weddings on a yacht.
- 40 to 150 guests: a mid-size event boat with an enclosed saloon and an open deck.
- 150 to about 500 guests: a large wedding boat with a big saloon for dinner and a wide deck for the ceremony and dancing.
Across our 24 boats and yachts we can usually offer two or three good options for any size.
Seated dinner or cocktail?
The same boat holds noticeably fewer guests for a seated dinner than for a cocktail reception, because round tables need space. Decide early which format you want, and we’ll quote capacities for that format, not the boat’s maximum.
Open deck vs enclosed saloon
The best wedding boats give you both. The open deck is where the ceremony, the sunset photos and often the dancing happen. The enclosed saloon, with windows on both sides, is where dinner is served and where everything moves if the weather changes. Some of our boats have heated saloons, which makes autumn and winter weddings comfortable.
Questions to ask about any wedding boat
- How many guests does it hold for a seated dinner, and for a cocktail?
- Is there an enclosed, heated saloon?
- Where does the ceremony happen, and where is the dance floor?
- Is there a private room for the bride and groom?
- How many bars are there, and how is service organised for my guest count?
- How strong is the sound system, and where do the DJ or band set up?
- How many toilets are on board?
- Which piers can it board from?
We cover more of these in 10 questions to ask before booking.
Think about flow, not just space
A good wedding boat lets the evening flow: guests board, gather on deck for the ceremony, move inside for dinner while the boat cruises, then come back out for the cake and the party. When you visit or take a video tour, picture your timeline on that layout. If guests would have to squeeze through one narrow staircase for every change, it’s not the right boat.
Look at the boat at the time of day you’ll use it
A deck that looks perfect at noon can be very different at sunset. If you can, see the boat in the evening, or ask us for photos and videos of weddings held at the same time of day.
Don’t overbook the size
It’s tempting to go bigger “just in case”. But a half-empty saloon feels flat and costs more. It’s better to choose a boat that is comfortably full, and we’ll help you check the numbers. For how size affects price, see what shapes the cost of a boat wedding.
See the boats
If you’re in Istanbul, we arrange visits. If you’re abroad, we’ll walk you through the boat on a live video call. Tell us your guest count on WhatsApp and we’ll suggest the boats that fit.
