Wedding Reception Boat in Istanbul

A wedding reception on the water

When the guest list is long, a large private yacht becomes one of the most memorable reception venues in Istanbul. Your guests board in the centre of the city, the reception begins with a welcome cocktail on deck, and dinner is served in the saloon as the yacht cruises past the palaces and mansions of the Bosphorus. Later, the music starts and the party moves to the open deck under the illuminated bridges.

Our larger yachts host receptions for up to 250 guests, with a closed saloon for dinner and open decks for cocktails and dancing. Any decoration is possible, from a flower arch for the cake to string lights, candles and table styling. Our private chef prepares the menu on board, with or without alcohol, as a seated dinner, a buffet or a cocktail reception, and we arrange the wedding cake, a DJ or live music, shows and photography, video and drone filming.

Already celebrated on land? Our after-party package keeps the night going on the water. We recommend at least 4 hours. See all our yacht weddings.

Reception packages

Two packages for receptions and parties, both fully customisable.

• Premium Wedding Reception

  An unforgettable celebration

  • Exclusive private yacht rental
  • Customised wedding concept and styling
  • Premium floral decoration
  • Welcome cocktail reception
  • Personalised wedding dinner menu
  • DJ or live music
  • Professional photography and videography
  • Wedding cake service
  • Special lighting and entertainment
  • Personal event planning and coordination

• Wedding After-Party

  Continue the celebration in style

  • Private yacht charter
  • Party lighting and sound system
  • DJ or live music
  • Cocktail and drinks packages
  • Canapés and snacks
  • Customised party decoration
  • Bosphorus night cruise

All packages can be customised and depend on yacht availability. The final price depends on the yacht, the number of guests, the length of the cruise, the menu, the decoration and the extras you choose.

Running a wedding reception on a boat: timeline and guest flow

A reception on the water works differently from one in a hotel ballroom. The venue leaves the pier at a fixed time, guests cannot slip out early, and the evening has a natural rhythm set by the route. Plan around that and a large reception runs smoothly.

Getting a large group on board

• Put a boarding time on the invitation that is earlier than the departure time, so latecomers do not hold up the yacht.
• If the ceremony took place on land, ask guests to go straight to the pier, and make sure the couple arrive last.
• Choose one person, not the bride or groom, to answer guests' calls and messages on the day.
• Remind guests that once the yacht has left, it cannot easily come back for anyone who is late.

A running order that works on the water

1. Welcome cocktail on deck while guests find their table names.
2. Guests are seated in the saloon and the couple make their entrance.
3. Dinner, with speeches between the courses rather than all at the end.
4. Cake and first dance under the flower arch, timed for the lit-up bridges.
5. The party moves to the open deck, with the bouquet toss before the music gets loud.

The seating plan

A table plan matters more on a yacht than on land, because the saloon is the one room everyone shares. Seat older relatives away from the speakers and close to the door to the deck, keep children near their parents, and put the couple where everyone can see them. Send us the final number of guests and any dietary needs, such as vegetarian guests or those who do not drink alcohol, with the table plan, so the chef and the crew can serve each table quickly.

Family traditions at the reception

At many Turkish weddings, relatives pin gold coins or jewellery on the couple during the evening, often to music. If your families follow this custom, plan a clear moment for it after dinner, choose someone to keep the gifts safe, and tell the DJ or band when it will happen. International guests appreciate a word of explanation beforehand.

If you are still planning the vows, see how a wedding ceremony on a yacht works. Compare the yacht menus for the dinner, or see every format on our yacht weddings overview.

Wedding reception boat highlights

• Up to 250 guestsLarge yachts with a saloon and open decks.
• A wedding dinner on boardSeated dinner, buffet or cocktails by our chef.
• Wedding cake serviceServed under a flower arch on deck.
• DJ, live music and showsBelly dancer, folk dancers or a whirling dervish.
• Lights and flowersString lights, candles and premium floral decoration.
• Planning and coordinationA dedicated team for your reception.

How the reception goes

1. Welcome cocktail
   Guests board and enjoy a cocktail reception on deck.
2. Wedding dinner
   Dinner served in the saloon as the yacht cruises the Bosphorus.
3. Cake and first dance
   The newlyweds cut the cake under the flower arch.
4. Party on deck
   The DJ or band takes over under the illuminated bridges.

More wedding ideas

• Yacht Wedding in IstanbulYour ceremony on the water
• Engagement Party on a YachtCelebrate your engagement on board
• Corporate Gala Dinner CruiseSeated dinners for large groups
• Private Dinner CruiseDinner under the city lights

The reception route

The yacht cruises the city part of the Bosphorus by evening and night: the illuminated palaces, the Bosphorus Bridge and the Maiden's Tower.

On the way you pass Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, the Ortaköy Mosque, the Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace and the Maiden's Tower. See the full route map and all the landmarks.

The captain keeps a slow, smooth pace for the ceremony, dinner and photos, and stops at the best spots: the palaces, the bridges and the Maiden's Tower. The route can be adapted to your programme.

Yachts for your wedding reception boat

For a wedding reception you need space for dinner and dancing. Majesty and Crescent Star have large saloons and open decks for up to 250 guests. Tap a yacht to see more photos.

• 8 photos

  Our flagship

  White Istanbul

  24 m · up to 77 guests

• 8 photos

  Made for celebrations

  Crescent Star

  24 m · up to 130 guests

• 8 photos

  Our largest yacht

  Majesty

  44 m · up to 200 guests

• 9 photos

  Heated on both decks

  Blue Wave

  23 m · up to 60 guests

• 9 photos

  Brand new for 2026

  Sea Fairy

  22 m · up to 55 guests

• 9 photos

  Classic and elegant

  Ocean Breeze

  21 m · up to 40 guests

• 9 photos

  Sleek and sporty

  Riviera

  22 m · up to 20 guests

• 8 photos

  Two decks, heated saloon

  Blue Horizon

  18 m · up to 12 guests

• 8 photos

  Intimate and cosy

  Azure

  16.5 m · up to 12 guests

Tell us your number of guests and whether you plan a seated dinner or a standing reception, and we suggest the right yacht. See all our yachts

Reception menus

Every reception starts with a welcome drink. Choose a seated wedding dinner, a buffet or a cocktail reception with canapés, with or without alcohol, prepared on board by our private chef. Drinks packages can be added to any menu. You can also bring your own food and drinks, with a service fee of €10 per person.

On board

Our yacht menus

Swipe to see all menus →

Morning2Light bites3Dinner3

A relaxed dinner under the lights

Chicken Dinner Menu

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Steak dinner on the Bosphorus

Meat Dinner Menu

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Seasonal fish from the Turkish seas

Fish Dinner Menu

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See every menu in full detail

Prefer something else? Our private chef can prepare any menu you like: halal, vegetarian, vegan, children's meals or a dinner designed around your occasion. Menus can be combined for larger groups, and alcoholic drinks are available as an extra.

What is included in your wedding reception boat

Make your reception unforgettable

Add any of these to your reception.

• Premium floral decoration
• Wedding cake
• DJ, live band or violinist
• Belly dancer, whirling dervish or folk dancers
• Special lighting and string lights
• Photography, video and drone
• Transfers for your guests

Wedding reception boat prices: what affects your quote

Every reception is different, so we prepare a written quote. The price is based on five things:

• The yacht: size and capacity
• Duration: we recommend at least 4 hours
• Date and time: weekends, summer evenings and holidays are busiest
• Group size: number of adults and children
• Food, drinks and extras: what you add to the cruise

Send us your plan and we reply with a clear written quote, with every item listed and fuel and marina fees always included.

Meeting points for your wedding reception boat

Choose the pier closest to your hotel or venue; for your guests we can also arrange transfers. We board from eight piers along the Bosphorus:

• European shoreKaraköy · Kabataş · Beşiktaş · Kuruçeşme · Arnavutköy · Bebek
• Asian shoreKuleli · Beylerbeyi

Boarding at Kuruçeşme is included; boarding at any other pier adds one hour of yacht time to your quote. We send the exact pier with a map pin when you book.

What our guests say about our cruises

Booking and cancellation terms

1. At booking30% advance payment confirms your yacht
2. 48 hours beforeThe remaining 70% is due
3. 7+ days beforeCancel for a full refund of the advance
4. Under 7 daysThe advance payment is not refundable
5. Under 3 days100% of the tour price is due

Payment, cancellation and weather terms for all private tours are on one page: Read the full cancellation terms

Wedding reception boat FAQ