How to Plan a Yacht Wedding in Phuket

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A wedding on a private yacht in Phuket feels different from a hotel ballroom: limestone islands on the horizon, warm wind, the sound of water against the hull and a deck that belongs to you and your guests for the day. It also asks for a little more planning, because a boat moves, the sea has its seasons and every detail has to be carried on board. This guide walks through the decisions in the order that makes them easiest, so you can send a clear request and receive a confirmed offer quickly.

1. Begin with your guest list and the feel of the day

Everything else follows from two questions: how many people will be on board, and what kind of celebration do you want? A relaxed ceremony with thirty friends dancing barefoot on a catamaran calls for a different boat than a quiet exchange of vows for the two of you and your parents, followed by dinner at anchor.

Write down a realistic number, including children, a photographer and a celebrant if you plan to have them. Yacht capacities are fixed for safety, and the number of guests allowed on board by day is the limit that matters – not the number of cabins.

2. Choose the yacht that fits the number

Our partner fleet covers six boats, from open sailing catamarans to superyachts with en-suite cabins. Each one is chartered privately as a whole boat, and the price is per charter, not per person. Every boat sails with the captain and crew of its owner, while our part is to match you with the right one and relay your wishes.

Listed from-prices include 7% VAT. Price and availability are confirmed on request, because rates shift with the time of year and how long you stay out. For a full comparison, see our price overview.

As a rough guide, the catamarans suit larger groups: Ivory Sail 50 has a flat, stable deck and trampolines on the bow that make a natural stage for the vows. The motor yachts are more intimate and work well for small family ceremonies. If you picture a ceremony followed by a seated dinner, the aft-deck table of Eternal Pearl 102 can host a celebration of up to 25 guests facing the islands.

3. Decide on the route and the hour

A wedding does not need a long voyage. Many couples prefer a short cruise to a sheltered bay, the ceremony at anchor and a slow return as the light turns gold. Options from Phuket include:

• Sunset along the west coast – about three hours, roughly 16:00 to 19:00, all year when the weather allows. On the catamarans this is a natural format for a ceremony.
• Coral and Racha Islands – about five hours, around 20 km each way, with clear water for a swim after the vows.
• Phang Nga Bay – about eight hours among limestone towers; it is sheltered, so it works in every month.
• Phi Phi Islands – a full eight-hour day, about 45 km each way; national-park fees apply and some bays can be closed for recovery.

The sun sets around 18:30 throughout the year. If you want golden light for the photos, plan the ceremony roughly an hour before sunset and keep a little buffer, since the captain will choose the calmest anchorage on the day.

4. Think about the season

The dry months run from November to April: the sea is calmer, the water clearer and the sunsets at their most dependable. Between May and October the monsoon from the south-west adds swell and the odd passing shower. Couples still marry at sea in those months, but routes are picked with more care – Phang Nga Bay keeps its shelter – and the final call is left to the captain for safety. If your date falls in the green season, keep the plan flexible and choose a boat with a covered area or an air-conditioned saloon.

5. Plan the ceremony itself

A ceremony on board is a symbolic celebration: your vows, the rings, music and a celebrant reading words you choose. We can arrange a celebrant on request and help you shape the running order, from the walk across the deck to the kiss. Read more about the format on our wedding ceremony page.

6. Add the details you want

The following can all be arranged on request and are quoted with your offer:

• Ceremony arch and florals
• A celebrant or officiant for the symbolic ceremony
• Photographer and videographer
• String music – a violinist or a small ensemble
• Catering, from canapés to a seated dinner, and a wedding cake
• Transfer to the pier for you and your guests

Already part of every charter: a captain with crew, towels, fresh fruit, chilled soft drinks with ice, a sound system, snorkelling gear, a kayak and paddleboard, life jackets, accident insurance, the marina entry fee and fuel for the route you plan. Island and national-park fees, pier transfers and food are not included unless quoted.

7. Practical tips for a wedding at sea

• Footwear: many guests go barefoot on deck. Flat sandals are safer than heels on a moving boat.
• Dress and veil: there is always some breeze; light fabrics, a short veil or pins for longer hair help.
• Arch and flowers: decorations are fixed securely to the boat, so keep designs compact rather than tall.
• Sun and heat: plan shade for older guests, bring sunscreen and keep drinking water close.
• Safety: life jackets are on board, and the captain decides on weather and anchorage.
• Departure: depending on boat and route, you board at Chalong Pier or Ao Po Grand Marina – the pier is fixed when you book.

8. A simple planning order

1. Fix your date, a guest number and the type of ceremony.
2. Send us a request with these details and any wishes for route or timing.
3. Receive a confirmed offer with boat, schedule and the extras you chose.
4. Agree on the ceremony running order, music and menu.
5. Share the pier, time and dress tips with your guests.

Deposit and cancellation terms are confirmed in your booking. If you are still deciding, our team is happy to suggest two or three boats that fit your numbers and your budget.

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