A wedding in a boat has one detail a hotel wedding doesn’t: the venue leaves on time. Getting every guest to the right pier at the right moment is easy with a little planning. Here is the guide we share with couples, which you can pass on to your guests.
Choosing the pier
Pick the pier that is easiest for most of your guests. Our partner piers are:
- Kabataş (European side): central and well connected by tram and funicular, good for guests staying in the old city or around Taksim.
- Arnavutköy (European side): a quieter waterfront village with old wooden mansions, lovely for arrival photos.
- Kireçburnu (European side): on the upper Bosphorus near Tarabya.
- Beykoz (Asian side): on the green upper stretch of the Asian shore.
- Beylerbeyi (Asian side): next to Beylerbeyi Palace, below the Bosphorus Bridge.
- Kadıköy (Asian side): the busiest hub on the Asian side, with ferry and metro links.
Other piers can be arranged on request; some charge a separate docking fee, which we tell you about in advance. Full details are on our piers and boarding page.
Hotel jetty pick-ups
If you or your guests are staying at a waterfront hotel with its own jetty, we can pick you up there with the hotel’s permission, as long as the jetty is suitable for the size of the boat. Arriving at your own wedding by boat makes a beautiful entrance.
Arrival time
Ask guests to arrive at the pier 30 minutes before the boarding time on the invitation. Istanbul traffic can be unpredictable, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings, so we recommend putting the boarding time, not the departure time, on invitations.
Getting there
- Share a map pin of the pier with guests a week before and again on the day.
- For large groups, consider a shuttle from the main hotel to the pier.
- Remind guests that some piers have limited parking; taxis or ferries are often easier.
What to wear on a wedding boat
- Shoes: block heels or flats are kinder on decks and gangways than stilettos.
- A layer: even on warm nights, the deck can be breezier than the shore.
- Light fabrics: long, flowing dresses look beautiful on deck; just be aware of the breeze.
Accessibility and families
Let us know in advance about guests with limited mobility, so we can plan boarding and seating near the saloon. For young children, a quiet corner inside the saloon helps later in the evening.
Can guests leave early?
Once the boat leaves, everyone is on board until it returns. That’s part of what makes the evening special, but if some guests need to leave early, tell us beforehand and we’ll discuss the options, for example timing the return to a pier.
A ready-to-send note for your guests
“Our wedding takes place on a boat on the Bosphorus. Please be at [pier name] by [time]. The boat departs on schedule and cannot wait for late arrivals. Comfortable shoes and a light layer for the evening breeze are recommended.”
For the full evening plan, see our wedding on the boat timeline. Questions about a particular pier or hotel? Ask us on WhatsApp.
