A Yacht Wedding!
You have said “I do” now the real fun begins… planning a wedding in San Francisco can be a wonderful experience it can also be quite daunting! Bay Lights Charters is here to help you have a world class wedding that you will be so proud of and your guests will talk about forever!
Gas Light is the perfect venue for intimate events up to 49 people! Our Captain will perform your ceremony and have you actually “tie-the-knot” in front of your most cherished family and friends.
Maybe you already have a ceremony location picked out…join us for the reception only. Again, the crew of Bay Lights Charters will do all the work for you. No need for a big flower budget, the boat is beautiful as is. You can create your own play list and use our state of the art stereo system of have a band if you want! So many options available to you! Let us help you create a day that will make your dreams come true.
One of the most stunning aspects of getting married on the San Francisco Bay is that the view from our venue is ever changing. Whether you are dockside or tucked into a protected cove on the SF Bay, your wedding photos will have a beautiful backdrop.
All this for a fraction of the pricing of a land based venue.
Nautical Nuptials: Everything You Need To Know About Boat Weddings
If you like big boats and you cannot lie, consider a wedding on the water!
8 PROs and CONs of Getting Married on a Boat
PRO: One Venue for Your Entire Event.
Your entire wedding can take place on board, so you won't have to worry about the logistics and extra expense of transporting everyone from the ceremony site to the reception. You can embark upon your marital voyage with an open-air top-deck ceremony, followed by cocktail hour and then dinner in an elegant, enclosed speak easy like room with a full bar and lounging couches. Pretty dreamy, right?
PRO: All-Inclusive Packages.
Our boats offer all-inclusive package with everything from an on-site wedding coordinator to the catering, bar. With an onboard bluetooth sound system that plays both above and below deck. And oftentimes the ship's Captain is also a licensed officiant! Plus you can relax, knowing that the professionally trained marine crew, bartenders, and service staff are there to make your day flow seamlessly along with a fabulous sail on San Francisco Bay.
PRO: Affordability.
A wedding on the water is a cost-effective way to tie the knot, most weddings for up to 49 passengers land around $5500 all in. Whether you reserve a private room or decide to charter an entire boat you will see the value of getting married onboard. Our vessels offer a variety of package options to fit your budget. You can bring your own food onboard or have us cater the event. And since lots of the weddings we do are all-inclusive, you naturally get more bang for your buck. The average wedding in San Francisco is about $45,ooo!!!
PRO: Vows with a View.
Thanks to picturesque SF Bay, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and city skyline views—not to mention the possibility of a stunning sunset—getting married on the water is a visual treat. You'll have some fab wedding photos, and your guests won't soon forget that panoramic ceremony backdrop. Plus, if timed right, you can exchange vows during the infamous golden hour, or serve cocktails to your enthralled guests as the sun slips below the horizon.Now the CON list:
CON: Potential "hidden" fees.
Although boat weddings are typically really budget-friendly, there are some potential fees unique to watercraft you'll want to be aware of. Ask the boat charter company about any additional charges you may incur for things like docking, fuel, service fees, taxes, and gratuities, as well as possible permitting or port expenses. Here are Bay Lights Charters our pricing is very upfront and never hidden from our guests. We don’t charter extra for fuel, taxes but a docking fee and gratuity are not included only because each option on where to dock charges a different fee and gratuity is subjective.
CON: Limited space.
Unless you reserve a pricey mega yacht, you'll most likely need to scale down your guest list. Boats have restrictions on how many passengers are permitted on board. You'll want to ask the boat charter for a vessel that's large enough to safely accommodate your guest count. We can accommodate up to 49 guests, this number does not include the captain and crew so 49 of your fiends and family can come help you celebrate your union.
CON: Strict regulations.
Along with capacity limits, many boats have other constraints ranging from décor restrictions (like no open flames) to departure time! Fashionably late guests could literally miss the boat and be stuck at the pier as your wedding sails away. Build some cushion into the start time you list on your wedding invitation to ensure everyone's present for an on-time departure.
CON: You're stuck on board.
Consider your guest list before committing to a wedding on a boat. For example, doctors on call who may need to leave at a moment's notice won't exactly be able to! Unless your boat is docked, you'll be on the water for several hours, most of our weddings are 3-4 hours on the San Francisco bay.
Tips for Planning a Boat Wedding
Prepare for the possibility of seasickness.
In most bay or harbor cruises, the water is calm enough that seasickness isn't an issue. Plus, guests always have a view of the land which tends to minimize the queasy factor. However, in case any of your guests are prone to getting seasick, you'll want to be prepared. Consider adding some information to your wedding website on ways to combat seasickness as most motion sickness needs to be taken prior to boarding- it is suggested at least 1 hour prior. We keep onboard our Tall Ship some ginger tea, ginger ale, or ginger candies on board. These seem to do the trick as well as staying topside helps the most. But there really isn;’t a downside to being topside as the iconic views of San Francisco, Sausalito, and the East Bay are truly beautiful.Create a wedding website to highlight additional details about the day.
Include a suggested dress code that can stand up to the wind and water (e.g. "nautical attire"), along with a note about the anticipated weather. Depending on the forecast, suggest bringing sunglasses or sunblock, and remind guests that they may need a sweater or coat. You should also give your women attendees a heads-up about the vessel itself (e.g. steep staircases) so they can opt for wedges or flats instead of stilettos!Discuss photo ops with your photographer.
Depending on the size of your wedding party a boat venue there may be limited space for formal photos. It might be a good idea to take "first look" or bridal party photos in a separate location before embarking on your wedding voyage. This also ensures your time on the water is spent enjoying the event not smiling for the camera.Consider hosting other wedding-related events on a boat.
If you're not fully convinced that a wedding on the water's for you, consider hosting your engagement party, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, morning after the wedding brunch onboard our yacht! You'll get the nautical experience of a boat event without the full commitment of hosting your entire wedding on board.
Ways to Get a Little Nautical on Your Wedding Day
If being on the water is your favorite place to be, a wedding onboard our yacht may be the perfect way to spend your big day. From anchors to boats and seersucker to seashells, there are so many fun ways to incorporate your love for the sea into your wedding day. You and your guests will surely enjoy these details and maritime-inspired decor on your big day. Brides, get ready to set sail for your perfect wedding day!
1. Easily up-cycle life preservers into escort with just a little bit of paint. This escort card display elegantly doubles as a piece of bold wall-art
2. Tie the knot on your wedding day — literally! A fisherman’s knot is said to be the strongest knot out there. We love the idea of adding this sweet sailor tradition to your wedding ceremony for nautical (and romantic) flair.
3. A beachy water wedding inspiration is ideal for an non-traditional bride. We absolutely adore the soft simplicity of this wedding gown paired with the unique sea star crown.
4. A perfectly preppy look can be a fun way to style your wedding day- Maybe you want to use red, white and blue as your inspiration for a yacht wedding
5. Every guest’s favorite part of the wedding? The dessert of course! The nautical color scheme of blue and gold gives this dessert table major sophistication, while the geometric theme keeps the look fun and simple.
6. There is a major wedding trend a-brewing for all you brides out there — mismatched bridesmaids dresses. What’s even better? Mismatched nautical dresses! Or maybe a collection of navy sparkle bridesmaid dresses look sensational next to your classic wedding dress and mimics the shimmer of the sea. Perfect.
7. Message in a Bottle: If you’re into whimsical traditions, a message in a bottle can be a cute way to capture the beauty of your big day. Whether it’s your vows or a message to the groom, let your love loose into the sea with this unique wedding day idea.
8 We think that macaroons are quite possibly the chicest dessert ever, don’t you agree? We love the yacht color combination of these sweet treats for a preppy nautical wedding dessert!
9. So you’re ready to sail away into the sunset with the love of your life? Show off your love for the sea with a beachy, sailboat bridal photography session on your wedding day.
10. Take your cake from average to awesome with one little detail — sailboat cake toppers!
11. Do you love cupcakes as much as we do? Then skip the cake and feature these delish desserts at your wedding reception. Give them a bit of nautical flair by topping with easy-to-DIY ocean hued pennants.
12. All aboard this amazing engagement photo shoot! If you’re planning a nautical wedding, kick off the festivities with your engagement photos on a vintage wooden sailboat — what could be more romantic than sailing into the sunset with your sweetie?
13. Announce your big news to the world in nautical fashion with a rope sign, Just Married . This easy project is a must-make in preparation for your wedding day.
14. Little details like this compass and nautical love quote can complete the look for your themed wedding. Find inspiration to personalize your wedding day to make it special for all involved!
15. Incorporating bright white boat rope into your bridal beauty look can be a fun way to tie in your nautical theme. This simple knotted rope headband looks absolutely gorgeous.
16. We know that a vintage sign would be easy for any of our makers to create. Add nautical details to your wedding with an anchor sign inspiration, then glam it up with a glittery tablecloth.
17. If you’re going full-fledged nautical with your wedding day style, don’t forget your flower girl’s look! Maybe dresses with anchors? The sky is the limit!
18. You could have boring paper menu OAR do something totally out of the ordinary! Display your wedding reception menu on vintage mini oars for a unique DIY idea.
19.. We don’t know what we love most: the icing anchors or the subtle sailor rope around each tier. It’s impossible to choose what detail is our favorite on this preppy nautical wedding cake.
20. A nautical wedding theme gives you the freedom to go a bit casual on your big day. Get your groomsmen matching boat shoes for a handsome wedding day look.
Call us today to book your special day! We will help take you from single to wed and keep it as hassle free as possible. If you’d like to see some recent weddings onboard out Tall Ship on San Francisco Bay click here