The average Vineyard wedding runs north of $42,000, and a good part of that is the venue. Some couples skip the estate venue and take their vows on the water instead, aboard schooners, catamarans, and sailing yachts in the harbors and sounds around the island. On a boat the water is the setting, and a sunset needs no decoration.
The logistics are different from a wedding on land: which boats can legally carry a wedding party, what Massachusetts requires of the ceremony, how catering works with no kitchen, and roughly what it all costs.
Which boats can carry a wedding
The size of your guest list decides the boat.
For micro-weddings and elopements (2–6 guests), look at the island's sailing charters. Catboat Charters runs a restored 1927 Cape Cod catboat out of Edgartown that takes up to six guests, enough for a ceremony with your closest people and champagne at anchor in Katama Bay. Catboats are broad and steady, even in wind. Sail The Vineyard, which specifically markets weddings and vow renewals, offers private sails on their 44-foot sloop for up to six guests. Witch of Endor Sailing Charters out of Vineyard Haven lists wedding ceremonies among its sails, on Dulcinea, a 42-foot cutter; Capt. Pascal has sailed these waters for thirty years.
Mid-size weddings (7–18 guests) are awkward on Martha’s Vineyard, because most boats here take six. Plan Sea Adventure Charters used to be the answer, with a 40-foot inspected boat for eighteen; their site now says the new boat is limited to six, so ask before you plan around it. Otherwise it means two or three boats leaving together. Witch of Endor, for one, says it can arrange a sister ship for groups over six.
For larger weddings, the Black Dog Tall Ships’ Schooner Alabama, departing from Vineyard Haven, is the largest boat you can be married on here. Their site lists charters alongside the public day and sunset sails; call (508) 693-1699 for capacity, catering and dates.
The other big wedding boat, Mad Max Marina’s 49-passenger catamaran from Edgartown, is closed for 2026 while a bigger boat is built; their site says it returns in 2027 or 2028. If you are planning for then, ask them directly.
What Massachusetts law requires
Getting legally married on a boat in Massachusetts is straightforward, but a few legal details catch couples off guard.
For the marriage license, both of you have to appear together in person at any Massachusetts city or town clerk's office. There's no residency requirement: you don't need to live in Massachusetts. Bring proof of age (passport, birth certificate, or driver's license) and your Social Security number. The filing fee varies by town; on Martha's Vineyard, it runs roughly $15–$50 depending on which town clerk you visit. There are offices in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury (Vineyard Haven), West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah.
After filing, there's a mandatory three-day waiting period before the license becomes active. Sundays and holidays count, but the filing day does not. File on Friday, and the license is ready Monday. If you need it faster, a court waiver is available for urgent situations. The license is valid for 60 days from the filing date. No blood test has been required since 2005, and no witnesses are needed under Massachusetts statute.
Can the boat captain marry you? Not by virtue of being a captain. In the United States, including Massachusetts, a ship's captain has no inherent legal authority to perform marriages. The U.S. Navy explicitly prohibited officers from performing ceremonies on vessels as far back as 1913. Many charter captains do get ordained through organizations like the Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries, which gives them legal standing as clergy, so ask yours.
Massachusetts recognizes four categories of authorized wedding officiants: in-state clergy members registered with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, in-state Justices of the Peace, out-of-state clergy or JPs (who must file a non-resident petition 2–4 weeks in advance), and anyone granted a One-Day Marriage Designation. That last one is the easiest path for most boat weddings: any person can apply online, it costs about $25, and it's available from six months to one week before the wedding date. The designation must name a particular city or town, though. For a boat wedding, plan to hold your ceremony while docked or within a harbor clearly associated with a specific municipality (like Edgartown Harbor) and list that town on the application.
What a boat wedding costs
A boat wedding can cost much less than a traditional Martha's Vineyard venue, but the total depends on how you build it out.
The charter alone starts at $725 for a two-hour private sunset sail, the obvious choice for an elopement (Sail The Vineyard). Past six guests, the price is several boats’ worth, or a quote from the Black Dog Tall Ships, which does not publish wedding rates, so expect to call.
For context, the average Martha's Vineyard venue cost for 75 guests runs $9,261 to $16,567, and the overall average wedding on MV costs $42,297 to $53,771 for 50–100 guests, according to Wedding Report data. A boat charter for the ceremony and reception at $5,000–$10,000 compares well with land venues, especially for smaller guest counts.
The costs add up in everything else. Catering on Martha's Vineyard runs $175–$250 per person through island caterers like Buckley's Gourmet Catering or V. Jaime Hamlin & Sons, who has served MV weddings for over 40 years. Photography averages $3,989–$4,875. An officiant runs $299–$365. Flowers and décor average $2,268–$3,660. A wedding planner, which we recommend for the boat logistics, runs $6,201–$7,579.
A rough all-in estimate for a boat wedding with 20–30 guests, including the charter, catering, photography, officiant, and basic décor: $15,000–$25,000. For a micro-wedding of six people with a sailing charter, a simple ceremony, and dinner afterward on land: $2,000–$5,000. Both sit well below what a land wedding on the island usually costs.
Many MV charter boats are BYOB, which can save thousands compared to a traditional venue’s bar package. Catboat Charters, Nauti Girl Excursions and Martha’s Vineyard Oceansports all welcome guests’ own drinks, and the last two supply ice and coolers.
Catering and décor on a boat
Feeding guests on a boat is not like a seated reception in a tent. Most Martha's Vineyard charter boats either provide their own catering, partner with local restaurants, or let you bring your own caterer aboard.
Ask the Black Dog Tall Ships what catering they can arrange aboard Alabama. For smaller charters, it often works better to keep the boat to the ceremony and cocktails, then move to a restaurant or private dinner on land for the reception.
Island caterers with event experience include Buckley's Gourmet Catering (family-run, handling 20–30 weddings per year), V. Jaime Hamlin & Sons (on the island 40+ years), and Premier Chef Services (custom seasonal menus using local ingredients). For something more casual, Bill Smith's MV Clambakes does a New England clambake that works well on a larger vessel or at a dockside reception.
For décor, let the boat and the water do most of the work. Trying to turn a charter boat into a ballroom means fighting the space. Soft, ocean-inspired flowers suit a compact deck. Skip heavy centerpieces, which are impractical on a moving vessel. No open flames; use battery-operated candles if you want candlelight. Secure everything against wind, and bring aboard as little as you can.
A boat gives a photographer water reflections, the coastline and golden-hour light, but space is tight and large group photos are hard, so schedule family and group portraits before boarding. Make sure your photographer is comfortable on boats and ready for salt spray on the equipment. A telephoto lens can catch any wildlife you pass.
Timeline and logistics for the day
A boat wedding runs on a tight schedule.
Guests should arrive at the dock 30–45 minutes before departure. The boat cannot wait for latecomers. Of all the logistics, this is the one to get across to your wedding party and guests, ideally in bold print on the invitation and every reminder. Consider having a coordinator at the dock to manage boarding.
Once aboard, a typical two-to-four-hour charter might go like this: 15 minutes of settling in and leaving the harbor, a 20–30 minute ceremony while anchored or under sail, then one to two hours of cocktails while cruising. Some couples split the event (ceremony on the boat, reception on land), which eases food logistics and gives guests a choice if they're unsure about a long time on the water.
Getting guests to the dock takes planning, because parking on Martha's Vineyard is extremely limited, especially in summer. Arrange a shuttle from guest hotels to the boarding location. Guests coming from off-island will need the Steamship Authority ferry from Woods Hole (book car reservations well in advance) or a flight to Martha's Vineyard Airport.
Plan for seasickness before anyone feels it. Larger vessels like the Schooner Alabama give a smoother ride than small sailboats. Stock the boat with Dramamine, ginger ale, ginger candies, and saltine crackers. Tell guests on your wedding website to take motion sickness medication at least an hour before boarding. If it is choppy, the captain may suggest staying docked, which removes the motion and still keeps you on the water.
Be honest with yourself about accessibility. Many boats have limited wheelchair access, narrow walkways, and steps between levels. Talk to guests who have mobility concerns, and ask the charter operator what accommodations are possible.
When to book
Wedding dates on Martha's Vineyard are in high demand, and charter boats are no exception.
For peak season (June through September), book your vessel 12 to 18 months in advance. A wedding needs one particular evening, and each boat has only one of those. Shoulder season (May, early June, late September, and October) has more flexibility, but you should still book well ahead.
A working timeline for a summer boat wedding:
- 18 months out: Book your charter vessel and wedding planner
- 12 months out: Book caterer, photographer, officiant, and florist
- 6 months out: Apply for One-Day Marriage Designation (if using a friend as officiant); finalize guest count with charter operator
- 3 months out: File for marriage license coordination; plan guest transportation; send guests the details on boarding, dress code, and seasickness prep
- 3 days before: File marriage intentions at MV town clerk's office (in person, both partners)
- Day of: Get to the dock early
The operators we have called are on the list, with their phone numbers. Call them directly; nobody books through us.