A wedding on a boat in Krakow conjures up images of a grand gala on the water, but in practice it works best in a slightly different role: as an intimate reception after the ceremony, a memorable day after wedding party, or a two-hour treat for guests between the ceremony and dinner. In Poland that second-day celebration even has its own name – poprawiny, a more relaxed party held the day after the wedding. You hire the boat for 2 hours, so it’s worth deciding from the outset which part of the celebrations you’re moving onto the Vistula.
Below we compare three options, outline a sample day-after party on board and share tips on handling the menu, decorations, guest transport and booking – so that the newlyweds can simply enjoy their day.
A wedding on a boat in Krakow – three ways to use the cruise
| Option | Who it’s for | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Post-ceremony reception | couples who prefer an intimate celebration | toasts, catering and dancing on deck instead of in a reception hall |
| Cruise on the wedding day | weddings in the city centre | two hours on the water between the ceremony and dinner, with time for photos |
| Day-after party (poprawiny) | couples who want a laid-back second day | barbecue, music, wedding memories and views instead of a rerun in the reception hall |
Package prices are for groups of 30 or more, and pricing for special occasions is set individually, depending on the number of guests, the menu and the entertainment. If your guest list is shorter, send us an enquiry – we’ll prepare an individual quote.
The “cruise on the wedding day” option takes the most planning, because it has to fit around the ceremony, the photo shoot and dinner. Leave a buffer for the journey from the church or register office, let your photographer know that some of the photos will be taken on the water, and agree a time for serving the first course with the restaurant that leaves some leeway. That way, guests aren’t left waiting at the tables and the newlyweds don’t have to rush from the deck straight into the reception.
Day after wedding party on a boat in Krakow – a sample plan
The day after the wedding is the perfect moment for a cruise: the emotions have settled, the guests are relaxed, and nobody has to sit at the table until dawn. Two hours on board might look like this:
- Welcome on board. A red-carpet entrance, a welcome drink and a few words from the newlyweds or their parents.
- Barbecue and casual chat. Barbecue catering suits the second day perfectly – less formal than the day before, but still substantial.
- Wedding memories. The funniest photos and videos from guests, a toast from the best man and maid of honour, and settling the bets on who left the dance floor first.
- Dancing at sunset. In June the sun sets in Krakow at around 20:50, in mid-August at around 20:00 – setting off an hour earlier gives you the best light.
- A group photo to finish. All the guests in one shot, with the water and the city skyline in the background.
If your day-after party starts earlier, the cruise can be its second part – lunch at a restaurant first, then two hours on the water and a leisurely return to the hotel.
A wedding reception on the water – menu, music and decorations
For a celebration on a boat we’ll provide a professional sound system and club lighting, a welcome drink and a red-carpet entrance, while hostesses and bartenders look after your guests. Catering can be hot, cold or barbecue – a hot menu works better for a post-ceremony reception, a barbecue for the day after.
- Music for several generations. Agree the first dance and a few songs for the grandparents in advance – the rest can be more club-style.
- A personalised banner. The couple’s names and wedding date on the boat make a ready-made photo backdrop.
- Boat decorations. In your wedding colours, with elements that can stand up to the wind – no loose petals or confetti, which would only end up in the Vistula anyway.
- Entertainment. A live performance, a flair bartending show or games for guests will liven up the two hours without a rigid programme.
- Keepsakes. Photo coverage and a souvenir HD film of the cruise will complement the material from your wedding photographer.
Plan speeches and toasts for the start of the cruise, while everyone is still focused, and turn the music down for them. After that, the atmosphere can comfortably shift to dancing, and guests who prefer to chat will find a spot at the rail with a view of the city. The same format works well for parents’ or grandparents’ wedding anniversaries – then the cruise is a gift from the children and grandchildren.
Guests, getting there and dress code – practicalities in Krakow
At a wedding on board you’ll have guests of all ages, in smart shoes and often from out of town. A few things are worth sorting out ahead of time:
- Boarding point. We agree it when you book, so that it’s easy to reach for older guests too.
- Transport. If guests are travelling by coach and boarding takes place near Wawel, there’s a coach park nearby on ul. Powiśle (Powiśle Street). Suggest a tram or taxi to everyone else.
- Shoes and outfits. Swap stilettos and thin heels for more stable footwear for the cruise, pin the veil more firmly and bring a cover-up for the evening.
- Safety. On deck, follow the crew’s instructions and don’t lean over the side – including when taking photos.
- Toast on board, not on the boulevard. Drinking alcohol in public places is prohibited in Poland, so don’t pop the champagne until you’re on the boat.
Before the big day, it’s worth sending guests a short cheat sheet on what to bring to a boat party. And if you’d like to show family from far away what they’ll see from the water, send them our description of a Krakow evening river cruise on the Vistula.
How to book a wedding reception or day after wedding party on a boat in Krakow
We put together the details of your celebration as part of our special occasions on a boat in Krakow – where you’ll also find anniversaries, milestone celebrations and reunions – and other occasions are on our page for boat parties in Krakow. The minimum notice is 5 working days before the event, but weddings are planned well in advance and summer weekends are worth booking as early as possible – get in touch as soon as you know your wedding date. The earlier you book, the better the offer.
In your enquiry, include the date, the number of guests, the option you’re interested in (reception, a cruise on the wedding day or a day-after party) and your preferred time of day. Based on that, we’ll prepare an initial offer, and we’ll fine-tune the menu, decorations and programme together. You’ll find a full list of tasks in our boat party planning checklist.
FAQ – a wedding on a boat in Krakow
Can you hold a wedding on a boat in Krakow?
Yes. Weddings, post-ceremony receptions and day-after parties are all occasions we organise on board. You hire the boat for 2 hours, and we agree the menu, decorations and programme individually.
How much does a wedding or day-after party on a boat cost?
Pricing for celebrations is set individually – it depends on the number of guests, the menu and the entertainment. As a benchmark, packages start from €20 per person for groups of 30 or more.
Do you provide catering for a wedding reception?
Yes. We can provide hot, cold or barbecue catering, and drinks will be served by hostesses and bartenders.
Can a cruise be a gift for the newlyweds?
Yes. A cruise voucher is valid for 6 months, so the couple can choose their own date in the season – for example, for a get-together with friends after the honeymoon.
Can the boat be personalised for the newlyweds?
Yes. We’ll put up a personalised banner on the boat, for example with the couple’s names, and prepare decorations in your wedding colours.
Weddings and day-after parties on the Vistula – summary
Two hours on the Vistula won’t replace an entire wedding, but they can be its most beautiful part: an intimate reception, a break for photos or a day-after party your guests will remember. Send us your date and number of guests through the booking form, and we’ll prepare an initial offer.
Book your private boat party
A celebration on a boat in Krakow: a cruise for your nearest and dearest, catering and a set-up tailored to the occasion. Send us an enquiry and we’ll prepare an offer.
