12 Aug, 2025 Sample Category

How to Host a Wedding on a Yacht in Dubai: What You Need to Know

Dubai has one of the most breathtakingly beautiful settings for a wedding at sea. The emirate also has a large fleet of licensed luxury yachts for private events. Whether you're looking for a small Yacht Wedding Dubai for twelve guests or a large floating venue for 200+, you'll find yachts that are outfitted with lovely salons, ample deck space, and high-end plates.

More than the scenery and need for hardware, you can count on Dubai's service culture to make your experience seamless. Local yacht operators are used to working with event planners, florists, caterers, and entertainers which means every detail can be managed with ease. And then there is the reliability of the weather in winter, clear blue waters to welcome your guests, and the city's world-class cosmopolitan lifestyle — a yacht wedding Dubai is more than just an event, it can be a lifetime memory of luxury, adventure and romance on the open sea.

Timing: Best Months and Dayparts

The most enjoyable months are the months of November to March, in which case the daytime temperatures will generally be in the range of 20°C to 28°C with fairly low humidity. The sea should also typically be calmer and thus more hospitable to cruise over, allowing us more opportunities to take photographs. The shoulder months (early October and late April) should also be good but will normally have more heat to deal with in the middle of the day.

An absolute no for yacht weddings is June through September. Unless you're ready for intense heat and high humidity, which can regularly see daytime highs of 40°C+, don't book during these months. While you're guests may enjoy cruising in some breeze down by the sea, evenings during summer can still be hot. Guests may find their experience uncomfortable if you choose an outdoor ceremony on the yacht, despite the wind. If you absolutely must book in summer, we recommend a more than 100ft yacht, which can usually offer indoor, air-conditioned event space.

Regarding the time of day, generally sunset cruises are the most popular for weddings. The beautiful golden light created anywhere between 5:30 and 6:30 pm (depending on the season) can offer a soft and flattering light for photographs. Morning Cruise wedding Dubai has advantages with calmer seas and provide an interesting way to start the day. When planning, ensure you allow enough time that feels not too hurried, yet memorable. Factor in boarding times, ceremony time, dining times and cruise times.

Legal and Permits (What Couples and Planners Must Know)

Before you book your yacht wedding Dubai, the first important step is to sort out the legality. If you are a UAE resident, you can proceed with a marriage under the UAE legal system, and this will also include a religious or civil procedure, depending on your ethnicity and faith. However, if you are not a UAE resident but are visiting, generally the best option is to either perform your legal marriage in your country (or through the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court) and perform a symbolic ceremony on board your yacht rental Dubai. That way you can skip the illegible paperwork and just enjoy celebrating your day.
If your Yacht wedding packages will include alcohol, always check that the yacht has a current liquor license. If a vessel does not have a liquor license, alcohol will not be served legally even if you bring the alcohol personally. Entertainment rules are just as strict. If you are planning to have a DJ, live band or any type of public performance there is a possibility that you will be required to have an event permit, which is usually handled by the yacht operator or planner on your behalf.
Drone filming for weddings is highly regulated in Dubai. If your drone is for commercial use you will require approval from the GCAA and Dubai Civil Aviation Authority. Applications for commercial use need to be made in advance of the event. Otherwise you may hire a licensed Drone Operator, who will know what is required and can usually manage the application process on your behalf. Hiring a drone operator also avoids the alternative of incurring a fine for violating the drone regulations.
Finally larger events or activities that may be considered unusual for marine conduct may require Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) approval. Make sure to check all requirements for yacht booking Dubai.

Budgeting and Package

The yacht wedding packages in Dubai can vary considerably based on the yacht size, time of year, and quality of experience catered.

Guest Count	Yacht Size / Type	Estimated Cost	Duration
10 – 20 guests	Small yacht	AED 650 – AED 3,500 per hour	Minimum 2 – 3 hours
40 – 60 guests	Mid-sized yacht	AED 8,000 – AED 20,000	Half-day event
100 – 200+ guests	Large event yacht (e.g., Desert Rose)	AED 30,000 – AED 50,000+	Several hours (peak season)

Delegates attending a Luxury yacht wedding Dubai can expect that most packages include a licensed vessel, captain, crew, basic refreshments, and fuel costs for a pre-agreed upon route. Some packages feature a red-carpet extra for boarding, sound systems, and soft décor, which can vary significantly from yacht to yacht and participant to participant. Catering, floral arrangements, photography, entertainment, and service of any alcohol brought on (which can mean a corkage fee) are often add-ons. A lot of couples tend to run their details through the yacht operator for convenience, combining them into a single package. It is also important to factor in the 5% VAT, corkage fees (for any BYOB alcohol), and applicable permits for entertainment or drone shooting.

Choosing the Right Yacht: Capacity and Style

For small weddings of less than 2–20 guests, a larger motor yacht is optimal; they typically have a comfortable indoor lounge area, plenty of space on the forward deck to perform your ceremony, and dining space providing cover from the sun while also providing space for guests to enjoy drinks and heavy hors d'oeuvres; it is ideal for elopements, or small events, where you desire privacy, comfortable leisure, at the forefront of the intimate vibe you are creating.

Medium-sized yachts (typically 80–110 ft.) will comfortably accommodate 20–80 guests. Most mid-range yachts have a couple of decks, a good mix of indoor and outdoor space, plus comfortable dining seating for a sit-down dinner and a small dance floor being a great offering to balance elegance and practicality for guests…it is the yacht of choice for a mid-sized celebration.

Before you select your yacht, check the licensed capacity for your venue, which you will need to do for safety reasons; the yacht's licensed capacity also establishes the yacht’s occupancy compliance. You should plan to walk through the yacht, and if this is not possible consider a video tour, for you will need to be comfortable with the layout for your ceremony, dining and or entertainment options.

Safety, Comfort and Contingencies

Guest safety is always the number one concern when pulling off an event on the water. Use a DMCA-licensed yacht with licensed captains and trained sailors. DMCA-licensed boats must have lifejackets, fire equipment, and first aid supplies. The safety briefing everyone receives upon boarding may be brief, but even if just a part of the event, all guests must know where to find the emergency equipment.

Another concern is the weather. The winter seas in Dubai can be relatively calm but there can be enough wind and swell to delay travel or change the route. Always have a backup plan to respond to any weather issues, even moving part of the event inside or moving to calmer waters for some backup activity. When determining your boat options, consider that a bigger boat is going to be better, and the bigger boat adds stability.

Providing comfort can be achieved by simple things. In the cooler months, an evening cruise event would provide blankets for your guests, and the warmer summer months can provide chilled towels, sun-covering blankets and plenty of space for hydration. I would avoid scheduling any major moments of the event such as vows during peak heat midday.

Step-by-Step Booking Plan

Step	Action	Details
1	Fix your season and guest count	Choose a date in Dubai's ideal months (November – March) and confirm guest numbers to determine suitable yacht sizes and styles.
2	Determine your marina and route	The most popular places are Dubai Marina and Dubai Harbour. Choose shorter route with a loop around Burj Al Arab or a longer tour with several photo stops around the Palm Jumeirah.
3	Choose a licensed operator	Verify DMCA license, insurance, and crew qualifications. Ask about available safety equipment.
4	Confirm your package	Ensure to have in the deal, yacht charter, food, decorations, entertainment and a bar service.
5	Apply for permits	Required for entertainment, drone filming, or large events. Many yacht operators can manage this process for you.
6	Build your timeline	Plan boarding, ceremony, meal service, entertainment, and cruising. Allow extra time for photos and route changes.
7	Prepare a backup plan	Account for possible weather or mechanical issues. Choose a yacht with indoor space or a flexible layout to adjust plans if necessary.

Sample Budgets

Exact pricing varies depending on operator, travel time (hours), season and inclusions; nonetheless, these scenarios give some rudimentary guidance for your luxury yacht wedding Dubai.

For intimate outings (10-20 guests) you will likely need to use smaller yachts. You might pay approximately AED 1,300 up to AED 7,000 per 2-hour charter in a yacht depending on the company you have chartered and the day of the week. There will be a supplement charge in food, drinks, decoration and performers (approximately AED 3000-6,000).
For mid-size weddings (40-60 guests) you will be using an 80-110ft yacht and will consider that for a wedding package rental costs could range from AED 8,000 if you use only 3 hours and up to AED 20,000 as the operator may request up to 4 hours.
Multi-hour packages, depending on during the week and including premium catering and entertainment could range from AED 30,000 to AED 50,000 or more! Additional costs may include special décor, drone/ filming and or live entertainment you would need to still consider with different costs.
Be sure to budget for 5% VAT taxes; where are the corkage fees for bringing your alcohol? There are potentially permitting decision costs.

Make sure you always request a detailed itemized quote so you will be able to compare greater accurately the quotes you receive and to ensure you are not incurring hidden costs.

MAS Yachts – Luxury Wedding Yacht Rentals in Dubai

MAS Yachts makes wedding ceremonies more luxurious with its wedding yacht charter services in the city of Dubai. Their wedding packages are generally drafted at AED 2,600 on the 45-foot yacht and the cruise is designed for 4 hours to ensure the theme of elegance and romance on Yacht Rental for the Wedding. Every experience will include tailored wedding menu, elegant decoration including a bridal bouquet and red carpet welcome, as well as live entertainment or a DJ to set the mood.

Even the small details like accents with fairy-lights, fantastic floral arrangements, gourmet food followed by thoroughly selected music can be impeccably executed by the team with keeping the magical atmosphere and consideration of the setting amidst the sparkling coast of Dubai. At MAS yachts, you can also design your own packages whether it is an intimate gathering or extravagant affair with the onboard facilities taken care of by trained coordinators and hospitality personnel to make your affair a success to be remembered.

Conclusion

The itinerary should be your chance to show you as a person and your style in terms of route and background to your day, what you listen to musically, what you serve, and the decor. But that is all depending on good planning for Yacht Wedding Dubai. Select the right season. Select a yacht that is suitable for the number of guests you are having. Use standard licensed yacht charter operators. Budget for the charter and budget for personalized extras. You will have the benefit of Dubai's winter calm waters and many renowned landmarks to ensure you provide a seamless, unforgettable time with your guests.

FAQs

1. When is the most ideal season to have a wedding on a yacht in Dubai?

The best months are November to March. The beginning of October and at the end of April could also be alternative but are warmer. Summer heat can be over 40oC so June to September should be avoided unless you opt to hire a large, air-conditioned yacht.

2. Will I require licenses or legal permission to do a yacht wedding in Dubai?

That is relative to what you are planning. Unless you live in the UAE, it is easiest to do the legal marriage back home or in the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court, and then have a ceremony on board that is just symbolic. Filming with drones, entertainment, and other large-scale events might also be subject to permits, which are feasible to acquire by the yacht operators. Any consumption of alcohol will need the yacht to possess a valid liquor license.

3. What is the cost of hosting a wedding on the yacht, Dubai?

The prices of the yachts depend on the size, and the season.. The yachts that accommodate 10-20 people will cost AED 650-3,500 per hour with 2-3 hours min. The medium-sized 40-60 people yachts cost AED 8,000-20,000 with the half day event. The price of large yachts patronised by 100+ to 200+ guests can range between AED 30,000-50000+ particularly during high seasons. Special needs are normally additional to catering and decorations, entertainment and permit fees.