Luxury Yacht Wedding Amenities in Abu Dhabi: What Is On Board
What is actually on board a wedding yacht in Abu Dhabi? Across our fleet of thirteen boats the answer follows a pattern: an open deck for the ceremony and dancing, a shaded or enclosed area for guests who want to sit out of the sun, seating for the full capacity, a sound system, washrooms, evening lighting and the safety equipment every licensed vessel carries. The details differ between a flybridge yacht and a wide house boat, so this guide walks through each area, explains how it is used on a wedding day, and tells you which questions to ask about the specific boat you are considering.
The open deck: where the ceremony happens
Every boat has one deck that becomes the ceremony space. On the yachts it is usually the aft deck or the bow; on the house boats it is the upper deck, which is wide, flat and open from rail to rail. This is where the decoration team builds the floral arch and lays the aisle, where the couple stand for the vows, and where the cake is cut later. Its size is the single biggest difference between boats, and it matters more than overall length: a house boat rated for 30 guests can have a larger uninterrupted ceremony floor than a longer yacht rated for 18. The decoration page shows how arches and aisles are set on both types.
Shade and the enclosed saloon
Abu Dhabi sun is strong even in winter, so shade is not a luxury on a daytime charter. On the house boats, the upper deck usually carries a fixed canopy over the seating, and the lower level is an enclosed, air-conditioned saloon with glass walls, so guests can move between open air and cool interior at will. On the yachts, the saloon is inside the main cabin and the flybridge carries a bimini or hard top. For summer weddings we recommend a boat whose enclosed saloon can seat most of the party at once, which is why the house boats and the 62 Ft Tecno are the usual choices between June and September.
Seating for the full capacity
Capacity on a boat page means seated capacity, not standing room. On the house boats the upper deck typically has bench seating along both sides with an open centre, which gives an aisle for the ceremony and a dance floor afterwards without moving furniture. Dining tables for a seated meal are set on the same deck or in the saloon, depending on the boat and guest count. On the yachts, seating is spread across the aft deck, the saloon and the flybridge, so a wedding of 16 to 18 sits comfortably but the group is in two or three spaces rather than one. If you want every guest to see the vows from a seat, tell us; it changes which boat we suggest.
Sound, music and power
The boats carry a sound system suitable for a playlist from a phone at cruising and reception volume. A DJ or live musician normally brings their own console or instruments and plugs into the boat's power, and we confirm the available power and the best speaker position for your chosen boat before the day. How loud and until what hour is the captain's decision on the day, and the team confirms the plan with you on WhatsApp. If music is central to your reception, say so early; it will shape the choice between a house boat with one big deck and a yacht with several smaller spaces.
Washrooms, changing space and the galley
Every boat has washrooms on board; the number varies, so ask about the boat you have shortlisted if your guest count is at the top of the range. The yachts have cabins below deck that the bride can use to change or touch up, and the house boats have an enclosed saloon where a corner can be screened for the same purpose. Galley space exists on all boats, but it is a working kitchen for the crew, not a catering kitchen; caterers bring food prepared and use the galley for plating and keeping items cold. We confirm what your caterer can and cannot do on the boat once you tell us who they are.
Lighting after dark
Evening weddings live or die on lighting, and this is where the fleet varies most. Several boats, including Lavy Luxury Yacht and the house boats, carry built-in deck and hull lighting that reads beautifully on camera from the water and from the marina. Warm string lights over the upper deck are part of many decoration schemes and are set by our team as part of the package. The one thing to avoid is bringing loose lamps that are not secured; anything on deck must be fixed, and the crew will tell you what can be attached where.
Safety equipment and the crew
Every charter sails with a captain and crew, and every boat carries the life jackets, life rings and fire equipment required for its licence. Before departure the captain gives a short safety word covering where the rails are, where guests should not stand while the boat is moving, and what to do if anyone feels unwell. The crew stays on board throughout, serves, helps guests move between decks, and keeps the deck clear once the decoration is in place. It is not a self-drive boat and never will be.
Three boats with the most complete set-up
- King House Boat, 30 guests. A canopied upper deck with bench seating on both sides and an open centre, and a panelled, air-conditioned saloon below with a screen and sound. The most complete two-level layout for a wedding of 25 to 30.
- House Boat Luxury M1, 40 guests. The largest capacity in the fleet, with a glass-walled saloon and an open upper deck sized for table seating.
- Miss Kim House Boat, 30 guests, three-hour minimum. A refined saloon for a seated dinner and an open top deck for the ceremony; the best choice when the meal matters.
Questions to ask about your specific boat
- How many guests can see the ceremony from a seat, and on which deck?
- How many washrooms are there and where?
- Is the saloon air-conditioned, and how many does it seat?
- Where does the DJ or musician set up, and what power is available?
- Where does the bride change?
- What lighting is built in for an evening charter?
Ask these on WhatsApp with the boat name and we answer for that boat, not for the fleet in general. The package price on each boat page includes the wedding decoration and the wedding cake, so the amenities you are comparing are the boat itself.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a kitchen for our caterer?
There is a galley on every boat, used by the crew and available to a caterer for plating and cold storage. Food should arrive prepared. We confirm the details for your boat and your caterer before the day.
Can guests swim from the boat during a wedding?
Wedding charters are planned as dressed, on-deck events, and the captain decides on the day whether any stop for swimming is safe and sensible. If you want a swim stop as part of a longer celebration, tell us when you book so the route allows for it.
Do the boats have air conditioning?
The enclosed saloons are air-conditioned. Open decks are shaded by canopies or biminis rather than cooled, which is why evening departures are recommended in summer.
Can we bring our own decorations?
You can bring personal items such as a guest book, signage or favours. Structural decoration, arches, aisles and lighting are set by our team as part of the package, because they must be secured for the water.
See the boat before you decide
Tell us your guest count and the season and we will suggest the boats whose layout fits, and arrange a visit at the marina if you want to walk the deck first. Details on the wedding yacht service page, or message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 503 7702.
