Wedding Yacht Charter Miami | Complete Guide 2026

In This Article

A wedding on a yacht in Miami is not just a ceremony with a nice view — it is an experience that fundamentally changes the atmosphere of the day. Instead of a ballroom or a garden, your guests are on the water with the Miami skyline behind you, the sun setting over Biscayne Bay, and no neighboring wedding in the next room.

Yacht weddings are inherently intimate. USCG regulations cap most charter vessels at 12-13 passengers, which means the guest list is your closest people — no obligation invites, no distant cousins, no coworkers you barely know. For couples who want their wedding to feel personal rather than performative, this constraint becomes a feature.

This guide covers every detail: yacht options, ceremony logistics, costs, vendors, and a realistic timeline for your day.

Why a Yacht Wedding

The Case For

• Intimate by design — The guest limit forces a meaningful guest list. Every person on that yacht matters to you.
• Unmatched backdrop — The Miami skyline at sunset, turquoise water, mega-yachts in the background. No venue decorator can compete with Biscayne Bay during golden hour.
• Built-in entertainment — The cruise itself is the entertainment. No awkward cocktail hour lulls. Guests explore the yacht, take photos from the flybridge, and enjoy the scenery.
• All-in-one venue — Ceremony, cocktails, dinner, and reception all happen on the same vessel. No shuttling between locations.
• Privacy — No other weddings, no hotel guests wandering through, no shared spaces. The yacht is yours.

The Considerations

• Guest count is limited — Most charter yachts accommodate 12-13 passengers. If your guest list is 50+, a yacht ceremony with a separate land-based reception is one approach (see “Two-Part Wedding” below).
• Weather dependency — While Biscayne Bay is protected from ocean swells, rain can impact an outdoor ceremony. Have a weather contingency plan.
• Vendor logistics — Caterers, florists, and photographers all need to board and set up before the ceremony. Coordination is key.
• Accessibility — Yacht boarding involves steps and sometimes uneven surfaces. Discuss accessibility needs with the charter team in advance.

Best Yachts for a Wedding

Intimate Ceremony (2-8 Guests)

Azimut 55 — From $1,950 (4 hours)

For elopements and micro-weddings with just the couple, an officiant, a photographer, and a few witnesses, the Azimut 55 provides an elegant setting. The flybridge is the ceremony spot — 360-degree views, open sky, and the skyline behind you. The salon below becomes the dining room for a post-ceremony dinner. Captain, fuel, and crew included.

Azimut 66 — From $2,900 (4 hours)

The 66-foot Azimut gives you more space for a small wedding party. The aft deck works as the ceremony area with the water as the backdrop. Multiple deck levels mean guests can spread out for cocktails after the ceremony. Captain, fuel, and crew included.

Full Wedding Party (8-13 Guests)

Azimut 70 — From $4,050 (4 hours)

The Azimut 70 offers the space and layout for a complete micro-wedding. The aft deck seats a ceremony setup, the flybridge hosts cocktails, and the salon seats a formal dinner. The multiple levels create a natural flow: ceremony on one deck, cocktails on another, dinner in the salon. Captain, fuel, and crew included.

Galeon 68 — From $4,600 (4 hours)

The Galeon 68 adds water toys (Seabobs, inflatable pool) that the wedding party can use before the ceremony. Start with a swim in Biscayne Bay, get ready on the yacht, and transition into the ceremony as the sun begins its descent. Captain, fuel, and crew included.

Grand Wedding Experience (Up to 13 Guests)

Azimut 103 — From $9,800 (4 hours, gratuity included)

The 103-foot Azimut is the most impressive vessel in the fleet for a wedding. A water slide, pool, 2 jet skis, 2 Seabobs, and a water mat transform the pre-ceremony hours into an unforgettable experience. The scale of the yacht — 103 feet of polished deck, multiple levels, and spacious salon — provides a sense of occasion that matches the significance of the day. Uniquely, gratuity is included in the charter rate.

Azimut 105 — From $8,650 (4 hours)

The 105-foot Azimut offers the most interior space for formal dining, a sprawling flybridge for the ceremony, and the sheer visual impact of arriving on a 105-foot yacht. For a wedding where every detail matters, the 105 delivers. Captain, fuel, and crew included.

Azimut S10 94 — From $10,950 (4 hours)

The S10 comes with a crew of 5 (captain, 2 mates, 2 stewardesses) included in the rate, plus lounge and swim platforms on 6-hour and 8-hour charters. The professional crew service adds a hospitality layer that elevates the wedding experience. For couples who want white-glove service throughout the day, the S10 sets the standard.

The Two-Part Wedding

For couples with a larger guest list who still want a yacht ceremony, the most popular approach is a two-part day:

Part 1: Yacht Ceremony (12-13 guests) The closest family and wedding party join the yacht for the ceremony. The officiant performs the ceremony on the water during golden hour. Post-ceremony champagne and photos on the flybridge.

Part 2: Land-Based Reception (50+ guests) After the yacht returns to the marina, the full guest list gathers at a waterfront restaurant, private event venue, or hotel ballroom for the reception dinner and party.

This approach gives you the intimate yacht ceremony without limiting your reception guest count. The yacht photos become the centerpiece of your wedding album.

Wedding Day Timeline

Here is a realistic timeline for a 6-hour yacht wedding charter with a sunset ceremony:

Time	Activity
Sunset minus 4 hours	Vendors board: florist sets up, caterer begins prep, photographer arrives
Sunset minus 3 hours	Wedding party boards, settles in, getting-ready photos
Sunset minus 2.5 hours	Yacht departs marina
Sunset minus 2 hours	Scenic cruise, pre-ceremony cocktails, first-look photos
Sunset minus 1 hour	Yacht anchors in Biscayne Bay, ceremony setup finalized
Sunset minus 30 minutes	Ceremony begins during golden hour
Sunset	Ceremony concludes as the sun sets. First kiss with the skyline behind you.
Sunset plus 15 minutes	Post-ceremony champagne toast, group photos during the afterglow
Sunset plus 45 minutes	Dinner service begins (salon or aft deck)
Sunset plus 2 hours	Dancing, celebration, city lights return cruise
Sunset plus 2.5 hours	Return to marina

A 6-hour charter is the minimum recommended for a full wedding day. An 8-hour charter provides more breathing room for getting ready, photos, and the celebration — and removes the feeling of being on a clock during one of the most important days of your life.

Costs: What to Budget

Charter Costs

Vessel	4 Hours	6 Hours	8 Hours
Azimut 55	$1,950	$2,650	—
Azimut 66	$2,900	$4,050	—
Azimut 70	$4,050	$5,200	$6,350
Galeon 68	$4,600	$5,550	$7,350
Azimut 103 (gratuity incl.)	$9,800	$11,500	$13,250
Azimut 105	$8,650	$11,150	$13,250
Azimut S10 94	$10,950	$13,800	$15,550

Gratuity (15-20%) is not included except on the Azimut 103 where it is built into the rate.

Wedding Add-Ons (Estimated Ranges)

Add-On	Estimated Cost
Officiant	$200-$500
Private chef (per person)	$100-$300
Catering platters (alternative to chef)	$50-$100 per platter
Floral arrangements	$200-$2,000+
Photographer (3-4 hours)	$500-$2,000
Videographer	$500-$1,500
Drone photographer	$250-$500
Wedding cake delivery	$100-$500
Live musician (acoustic)	$300-$800
DJ	$300-$600
Decorations (banners, signage)	$50-$300

Total Budget Ranges

Intimate elopement (2-4 guests, Azimut 55): Charter $2,650 (6hr) + Officiant $300 + Photographer $800 + Flowers $200 + Champagne (BYOB) = ~$4,000-$5,000

Micro-wedding (8-10 guests, Azimut 70): Charter $5,200 (6hr) + Gratuity $936 + Chef ($150/person x 10) $1,500 + Officiant $400 + Photographer $1,200 + Flowers $500 + Cake $250 = ~$10,000-$12,000

Grand yacht wedding (12-13 guests, Azimut 105): Charter $11,150 (6hr) + Gratuity $2,007 + Chef ($250/person x 13) $3,250 + Officiant $500 + Photographer + Videographer $3,000 + Flowers $1,500 + Cake $400 + Musician $500 = ~$22,000-$25,000

Vendor Coordination

What the Charter Team Handles

When you communicate that this is a wedding charter, the team coordinates:

• Vendor boarding schedule — Ensuring florists, caterers, photographer arrive and set up before guests board
• Provisioning logistics — Coordinating food delivery, ice, linens to the yacht
• Route and timing — Captain plans the route around the ceremony time and sunset
• Marina coordination — Ensuring dock space, parking guidance for guests

What You Coordinate

• Officiant — Book a licensed officiant (Florida allows ordained ministers and licensed notaries to perform ceremonies). Ensure they are comfortable boarding a yacht.
• Caterer or private chef — Coordinate menu, dietary restrictions, and timing with your chosen provider. The charter team can recommend trusted partners.
• Florist — Communicate the yacht layout so arrangements fit the space. Photos of the specific vessel help.
• Photographer — A photographer experienced with yacht weddings understands the lighting, space constraints, and best angles on the water. Share the yacht layout and timeline in advance.
• Marriage license — Obtain your Florida marriage license before the charter day. This is a legal requirement — do not forget it.

Guest Logistics

Getting Guests to the Marina

• Share the marina address and parking instructions at least 1 week before
• Suggest rideshare or hotel shuttle for groups traveling together
• Ask guests to arrive 15-20 minutes before the scheduled boarding time
• Have one wedding party member designated to greet arriving guests at the dock

What to Tell Guests

• Dress code (smart casual, no heels, non-marking shoes)
• That the yacht will be moving — suggest seasickness medication for anyone sensitive
• BYOB policy or that dinner will be provided
• That glitter, confetti, and balloons are not allowed on the yacht
• Sunscreen and sunglasses are smart for golden hour ceremonies
• A light layer for after sunset

Accessibility

Discuss any mobility or accessibility needs with the charter team well in advance. Yacht boarding involves a step from the dock to the boat, and deck surfaces can be uneven. Certain vessels have easier boarding configurations than others.

Weather Contingency

Miami’s weather is generally cooperative, but rain happens — especially during summer afternoons (June through September).

Your options:

• Move the ceremony indoors — Most yacht salons can accommodate a small ceremony. It is less dramatic than the flybridge, but still beautiful.
• Reschedule — If the weather is clearly unfavorable (storms, sustained wind), a reputable charter company will work with you to reschedule. Discuss the rescheduling policy when booking.
• Wait it out — Miami rain showers are often brief. Your captain can monitor radar and adjust timing by 30-60 minutes to wait out a passing shower.

Peak wedding weather months: October through May offers the most predictable weather — warm, dry, and sunny.

Ready to Start Planning?

A yacht wedding in Miami is not the easiest wedding to plan, but it is one of the most memorable. The guest limit forces intimacy, the setting eliminates the need for expensive decor, and the sunset over Biscayne Bay does the work of a thousand string lights.

Browse the full fleet to compare vessels, explore wedding yacht charter options, or get a custom quote with your date, guest count, and vision. For the fastest response, reach out on WhatsApp — the team can walk you through vessel options, vendor recommendations, and pricing in a single conversation.