A Sailboat Elopement Adventure to Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor

Rachel and Zach’s Spectacle Island elopement in Boston Harbor was the perfect mix of spontaneity, adventure, and heartfelt moments. As avid sailboat enthusiasts, they turned their love for sailing into a meaningful part of their wedding day. With a simple beach cover-up, Birkenstocks, and a sailboat journey to what they fondly call “trash island,” their day was as unconventional as it was authentic. Get all the details below.

Looking for more places to elope? Explore our New England elopement packages for more ideas and packages.

About This Elopement at Spectacle Island on Boston Harbor

Photography by Danielle Robidoux Photography

“Zach and Rachel are a part of a sailing club where they can rent sailboats for as long as a week at a time. This is something they do together and have traveled to various of the Boston Harbor Islands and their favorite is Spectacle Island, which they jokingly called ‘trash island’ because it used to be a landfill but was salvaged. Now it’s stunning with wonderful views of Boston.

They met in college and were at a bar where someone else pinched Zach’s butt, even though he knew it was someone else he blamed Rachel because he thought she was cute and wanted to talk to her!

The officiant was someone else in their sailing club who lives on his sailboat in Boston Harbor. Rachel wore a white beach cover up and Birkenstocks and he wore boat Birkenstocks and a polo.” [Danielle, the photographer]

Deciding to Elope

“We are a fairly unconventional couple who never loved the idea of a big wedding, which felt impersonal. Many of our friends and family always thought we were the type to secretly elope… which we did! We will eventually have a larger party to celebrate our marriage with our families but it meant a lot to us to make the day ours. To not be pulled to do things that didn’t feel authentic to us.

Spectacle Island is one of the Boston Harbor Islands that we sail to frequently. It was the first destination we sailed to together. Our relationship has changed, grown, and gotten stronger over the 11 years we’ve been together. It always felt right to be married on an island that has transformed from so many other things (a city dump included) into a beautiful park. Even though it is absolutely stunning … we still call it trash island.” [The couple]

Check out these reasons to elope.

Planning Process

“We did this very last minute, so although stressful given a 1 month time crunch, the whole process was fairly easy. We booked a sailboat from Boston Sailing Center boat club for the day to sail out to the island. We hired a photographer, Danielle from moonrising photography. Obtained a one day marriage license for our officiant.

Additionally our photographer helped a lot with some important things we never thought of. For example the Island is a state park, so we made sure we had approval to elope there and if we would need a permit. Since it was just three of us and our photographer, no additional chairs or props, this was fairly easy.” [The couple]

Estimated Cost

• Venue | free
• Photography | $700/hour
• Boat | free… but they pay an annual membership (ranges from ~$1,500 to 14,000 for the year depending on the boat size and membership type)
• Mooring |$25 for the night
• Docking fee (fan pier Boston) where they got ready | $240
• Dress | $120
• One-day officiant | $25
• Miscellaneous costs | ~$300

Learn how to elope here.

Permits and Top Tips Eloping

“For a permit couples should contact the Special Events Program Coordinator at the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the link is here and it is $45.

Get a permit and ensure there are not any other events happening at the time so you have privacy. If you don’t have your own boat, you will be essentially at the mercy of the public ferry.

This couple had their own sail boat through their sailing club but the dock is pick up and drop off only, so if they are not taking the public ferry, they will need a dingy or something to get to shore.

The ferry schedule for the public ferry is here. – Due to this you essentially would not really be able to get those golden hour ceremony photos but you could do them in any of the public parks near the ferry take off, which is still so beautiful!” [Danielle, the photographer]

Learn more about how to leave no trace during your elopement.

Memorable Moments From This Elopement

From the photographer:

“Because it used to be a landfill their vows were so meaningful, but I could not help thinking it was hilarious that they kept referring to the island as trash island. Picking up their friend who lived in their boat on the way to Spectacle island was really unique, he was a character. They obviously were the type of people to not do anything traditionally but did things that were authentic to them.

I loved that neither of them got particularly dressed up! She wore a white beach cover up, and he wore a polo and shorts. They were there for what was important, each other.”

From the couple:

“The most memorable part was spending the night on the boat. Just soaking it all in. Reminiscing on the day, our relationship, and what was next to come. Spoiler alert it’s a baby! Probably figured that out based on the pictures.

Doing it last minute was a bit stressful but also so fun because it was very spontaneous and authentic to us. Also, being pregnant while eloping made it extra special.”

Final Words of Advice From the Photographer

“There are a lot of logistics when it comes to sailing, I would definitely have a plan A, B, & C. It is really weather dependent so maybe even having a backup date would be a good idea! The view of Boston is stunning!” [Danielle, the photographer]

Photos From This Elopement