Wedding On The Water
General
A destination wedding promises a grand getaway to a swoon-worthy location for the happy couple and their guests – a once-in-a-lifetime trip for all! A major draw to Key West is, of course, our sparkling waters and breathtaking sunsets. With Danger Charters, you can wrap the best of Key West in a bow by getting married on a yacht!
In this article, we’ll explore why a yacht wedding is a great choice, share details of our wedding packages, discuss the legalities of getting married at sea, and more. If you have any questions about tying the knot with us, please get in touch – we’re here to help you achieve the wedding of your dreams.
Why Choose a Water Wedding?
The allure and advantages of choosing a luxury sailing experience for a wedding are many, making it an easy and appealing option for couples seeking a distinctive and enchanting celebration. Here are nine reasons why a wedding boat cruise is the optimal choice for a perfectly untraditional wedding venue!
1. Unique and Memorable Setting
A wedding charter cruise offers a unique and unforgettable experience. The stunning backdrop of the open ocean, combined with the elegance of a classic schooner, creates a magical atmosphere that all ages will enjoy.
2. Scenic Views
With panoramic views of the water, sunset, and coastal landscape, a wedding charter provides exceptional scenery for both the real-life ceremony and forever photographs. The natural beauty fully envelopes the senses – so romantic!
3. Intimate Atmosphere
Boats are ideal for creating an intimate setting. The limited space ensures a cozy and personal environment, perfect for sharing special moments with close family and friends.
4. Exclusivity and Privacy
A sailboat offers privacy and exclusivity, away from the hustle and bustle of crowded venues. Enjoy your special day without interruptions, onlookers, and dreaded photo bombers.
5. Luxurious Amenities
Danger Charters provides high-end amenities, including gourmet catering, elegant décor, and professional crew services. We ensure a seamless experience for you and your guests.
6. Adventure and Excitement
For adventurous couples, a wedding at sea adds an element of excitement and novelty. The experience is thrilling and memorable for everyone aboard.
7. Customization and Flexibility
At Danger Charters, we offer a high degree of customization. We invite couples to tailor every detail to their preferences, from the décor and menu to the itinerary and entertainment, ensuring your wedding is exactly as you envision.
8. Multiple Locations
Unlike traditional venues, a sailboat can travel to different locations. We can anchor near a beautiful island, or pristine beach, or even cruise along the coastline, offering diverse and picturesque settings throughout the event.
9. Symbolic Meaning
Getting married at sea can add a layer of symbolic meaning to your union. For many, the ocean symbolizes eternity, depth, and vastness, which can mirror the sentiments of a lifelong commitment in marriage.
Choosing the Right Charter
Hosting a wedding on a yacht comes with a lot of logistics, but working with the right company will mean that you have no awareness of any of them! When doing your research, take the time to study reviews to get a sense of customer service and quality of experience. You will also want to note the size of the boat(s) available, the amenities offered, and the experience of the crew.
At Danger Charters, we offer four wedding packages, each more exclusive and customizable than the next. All of our weddings are performed by a Coast Guard-licensed Captain and include a Danger Charters commemorative wedding certificate, a photo of the boat under sail signed by the Captain with GPS coordinates, and engraved glassware. Couples must obtain and bring their marriage license before their wedding at sea.
Bosun’s Wedding Package | 2 hours
Perfect for those who want a wedding on a yacht without having to charter the whole boat. Get married in front of invited guests and new friends during our Wind & Wine Sunset Sail and enjoy champagne and gourmet nibbles as you watch the sun dip below the horizon.
First Officer’s Wedding Package | 2 hours, 30 guests
You and up to 30 guests will have full rein of Danger, our historic, 48-foot, flagship vessel. When the time is right, the Captain will perform the ceremony in a spectacular location, and then everyone will raise a glass in celebration of the happy couple. Cheers!
Captain’s Wedding Package | 2 hours, 30 guests
This package brings Key West’s best photographers, floral designers, caterers, and bakers to the table to create an elegant event – complete with a gorgeous wedding cake – for you and your guests. This is what you picture when you think of a yacht wedding!
Commodore’s Wedding Package | 30 guests per vessel
This package pulls out all the stops! We invite you and your beloved to hand-select every last detail of your postcard-perfect wedding on the water, from the flowers and live musicians to the photographers and menus. Charter more than one boat to accommodate all of your guests!
Real-Life Wedding Stories
At Danger Charters, we take tremendous pride in sharing the gorgeous Florida Keys with all of our guests – and especially with our wedding guests! Every day on the water is pure bliss, and when our sails billow with love and romance, the day is even more magnificent! Take a look at some of the feedback we’ve received from our happy couples.
Such an amazing experience! Our wedding was so special thanks to Danger Charters and their crew. All of the planning was so easy and the day was perfect, including the sunset to finish our trip.
Our wedding was magical❣️ Captain Dan was like a character out of a romance novel. His crew; Jack, Caroline, and Sage were attentive and helpful which added to our special occasion.
We had our wedding ceremony on Danger Charters and it was amazing! The staff was attentive and Captain Mary performed a lovely ceremony at sunset. Would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a romantic wedding on the water.
Chartered a sailboat for our wedding….It was exceptional from every single standpoint. Tiffany was great booking it and ensuring we had everything we wanted perfectly. Captain Brian and first mate Bronza were AWESOME!!! Vidal was the best photographer EVER and really made it sooo relaxing and fun… Looking forward to renewing our vows every year with this crew!!!
Legal Considerations for Wedding on the Water
You can get married on a boat in Florida (and most other states) as long as the following conditions are met.
Marriage Licenses: Couples must obtain a marriage license from the state where the ceremony will take place. Each state has its own requirements and waiting periods, so it’s important to check these details in advance. In Florida:
- Both parties must be at least 18 years old.
- Both parties must present a valid photo ID.
- Both parties must apply for the license in person at any county clerk’s office in Florida.
- If either party was previously married, provide the date of divorce, annulment, or death.
- Submit the marriage license fee.
- Three-day waiting period for Florida residents; no waiting period for non-residents.
- The marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
- License fees are reduced and the waiting period is waived with completion of a state-approved premarital preparation course.
Officiant: The person officiating the wedding must be legally authorized to do so in the state where the marriage takes place. In Florida, a Coast Guard-licensed captain is among those who can legally solemnize a marriage.
Jurisdiction: The marriage must be performed within the waters of the state that issued the marriage license; some states may not recognize a marriage performed outside their territorial waters.
Ready to plan a nautical wedding that will have you and your guests floating on air? Connect with our team! We can’t wait to help you create a day on the water that you will forever celebrate and remember. Fair winds and following seas, love birds!
