What to Buy for a Wedding Ceremony at Sea

A wedding ceremony at sea needs more than rings and flowers. You will need tableware, seating, serving items, ceremony furniture and decorations that can cope with wind, limited storage and boat movement. This shopping list covers the physical items for the ceremony, meal and reception, including chairs, tables, glasses, plates, signage and a ring pillow. Check every quantity against your final guest list, then add a small buffer before deliveries are confirmed.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Folding chairsqty 70
Bistro tablesqty 8
Dinner benchesqty 8
Table linenqty 8
Chair coversqty 70
Ceremony table
Gift table
Cake table

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 70
Dessert platesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 70
Wine glassesqty 100
Water glassesqty 100
Champagne glassesqty 70
Coffee spoonsqty 70
Dinner knivesqty 70
Dinner forksqty 70
Dessert forksqty 70
Serving spoonsqty 12

Decorations

Ceremony arch
Arch backdrop
Artificial flowersqty 12
Flower vasesqty 10
Table decorationsqty 10
Windproof garlandsqty 8
Welcome sign
Table numbersqty 8
Menusqty 70
Place cardsqty 70
Ring pillow
Guest book
Pensqty 6
Confetti containersqty 70

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Mixer
Laptop
Rechargeable power banksqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Ice containersqty 4

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 8
Rechargeable table lampsqty 10
Lanternsqty 12
LED candlesqty 30

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving boardsqty 6
Cake knife
Cake spatula
Corkscrewsqty 4
Bottle openersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Ice spoonsqty 4
Food containersqty 12

Cleaning

Dish brushesqty 4
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Trash binsqty 6
Trash bag holdersqty 6
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Towel dispensersqty 4
Toilet paper holdersqty 2

Safety

Life jacketsqty 70
Flashlightsqty 6
Non-slip matsqty 8
First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Champagne - 12 bottles
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Beer - 120 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Ginger ale - 6 bottles
- Sparkling water - 20 bottles
- Still water - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Limes - 3 kilograms
- Fresh mint - 8 bunches
- Coffee beans - 2 kilograms
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Baguettes - 15 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Ciabatta - 8 pieces
- Toast - 12 packs
- Crackers - 8 packs
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 2 kilograms
- Goat cheese - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Smoked salmon - 2 kilogram
- Parma ham - 1 kilogram
- Chicken breast - 3 kilograms
- Falafel - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Celery - 2 heads
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 4 kilograms
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 1 kilogram
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Puff pastry bites - 180 pieces
- Mini quiches - 120 pieces
- Mini meatballs - 120 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 100 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 4 kilograms
- Potato salad - 5 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Sandwiches - 80 pieces
- Focaccia - 8 pieces
- Dessert pastries - 70 portions
- Wedding cake - 70 portions
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Fresh fruit for dessert - 4 kilograms
- Coffee creamer - 4 packs
- Paper napkins - 400 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 300 pieces
- Wooden stirring sticks - 150 pieces
- Ice cubes - 40 kilogram
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan seating for every guest who will attend the ceremony, plus two or three spare folding chairs. Confirm the boat’s available deck space before ordering furniture.
Count each type of tableware separately: dinner and dessert plates, forks, knives, coffee cups, spoons, wine glasses, water glasses and champagne glasses. A 10% spare allowance helps cover breakage and last-minute guests.
Choose windproof garlands and secure the ceremony arch and backdrop before loading the boat. Lightweight decorations and loose menus or place cards are easy to lose overboard.
Order or pack separate tables for the ceremony, gifts and cake instead of assuming the boat’s dining tables can serve every purpose. Measure the available floor area before delivery.
Prepare the welcome sign, table numbers, menus, place cards and ring pillow at least one week before departure. Keep the rings and printed ceremony materials in a labelled waterproof bag, not in checked or shared luggage.

Frequently asked questions

How many chairs do I need for a wedding ceremony at sea?: Provide one chair for every seated guest, then add two or three spare folding chairs. If the ceremony and meal use different layouts, confirm whether the chairs must be moved during the event or hire a second set.
How much wedding tableware should I buy for a boat ceremony?: Count one dinner plate, dessert plate, dinner fork, dessert fork and dinner knife per guest, plus about 10% spare. For glasses and coffee cups, allow one set per planned serving and check whether washing or replacement is possible on board.
When should I order flowers and sea-safe decorations?: Order artificial flowers, vases, the arch, backdrop and windproof garlands at least two to four weeks before the ceremony. Fresh flowers should arrive as close to departure as practical, usually on the same day or the day before.
What should I bring to protect wedding stationery at sea?: Pack menus, place cards, table numbers and the welcome sign in waterproof folders or sealed boxes. Prepare them at least one week ahead, and bring a few blank cards and pens for last-minute changes.

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