Destination Venice: 9 Romantic Wedding Venues in Italy's ‘Floating City'
There's just something about Venice that makes it feel like a place made for love. Maybe it's the quiet corners you stumble into by accident, or the way the light hits the water in late afternoon. It's no wonder celebrities like George and Amal Clooney and Anya Taylor-Joy chose to marry here—and now Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are reportedly next.
The city is full of beautiful venues, from ornate palazzos to gardens that feel like secrets. We pulled together six of our favorites—each one special in its own way. Some are grand, some more low-key, but all of them have that unmistakable Venetian atmosphere that makes a wedding feel like a moment out of a grand and historic fairy tale.
Aman Venice occupies Palazzo Papadopoli, one of the eight grand palazzos lining the Grand Canal, combining Rococo frescoes and Murano crystal chandeliers with Jean-Michel Gathy's refined minimalist interiors. It's the only hotel in Venice to feature two private canal-side gardens—the Canal Garden and the Pergola Garden—which serve as rare outdoor ceremony or reception spaces.
The historic double piano nobile houses grand event rooms, including a luminous ballroom, salon, library, and multiple dining spaces, each retaining frescoed ceilings and elegant period details ideal for both intimate and larger wedding celebrations. With just 24 suites, direct Grand Canal access, and fully tailored celebration services, it offers luxury couples a rare blend of exclusivity, heritage, and discreet Aman hospitality—all steps from Piazza San Marco
Hotel Locanda Vivaldi is housed in the historic home of composer Antonio Vivaldi, rebuilt into a boutique hotel perched on the Riva degli Schiavoni with views across St. Mark's Basin—just steps from Piazza San Marco. Its panoramic rooftop terrace offers sweeping vistas of iconic landmarks like San Giorgio, the bell tower, and the lagoon, making it a stunning setting for a sunset reception.
The hotel organizes full wedding packages, from ceremony coordination to vintage boat transfers and traditional Venetian catering. With fewer than 30 rooms—including suites with private balconies and lagoon views—it's well-suited to couples seeking an intimate celebration framed by genuine Venetian history.
Hotel Palazzo Stern is a 15th-century, neo-Gothic palazzo turned boutique hotel, standing directly on the Grand Canal in Dorsoduro with a terrace offering sweeping canal views. Its intimate, art-filled interiors—complete with frescoes, mosaics, carved wood, and antique mosaics—create a refined, historical atmosphere perfect for an elegant small wedding.
The rooftop terrace can host welcome drinks or a reception against the backdrop of Venice's waterways, while on-site event planning includes vintage boat transfers and customized menus. With under 70 rooms, valet parking, and concierge-arranged logistics via water taxi, it strikes a balance between relaxed exclusivity and Venetian grandeur.
The Gritti Palace is a 15th-century noble residence turned luxury hotel, set directly on the Grand Canal across from Santa Maria della Salute. Its richly decorated interiors feature antique Murano glass chandeliers, original frescoes, and period furnishings, creating an opulent backdrop for wedding celebrations. The Redentore Terrace and canal-side Gritti Terrace offer panoramic views ideal for elegant outdoor receptions or sunset toasts.
With in-house floral and culinary teams, a private Riva boat for arrivals, and just 82 rooms, the hotel specializes in intimate events with unmistakable Venetian character. Couples can host ceremonies in the ornate Longhi Room or reserve the Club del Doge restaurant for a formal seated dinner. Located just minutes from St. Mark's Square, the property also offers easy access to Venice's most iconic photo backdrops.
Palazzo Nani Bernardo is a private 16th-century Renaissance palace on the Grand Canal, blending historical grandeur with an intimate, residential feel. Its second piano nobile features a long hall and five side salons, ideal for refined indoor ceremonies and seated dinners. The crowning jewel is its hidden Italian-style garden—one of the largest in Venice—complete with climbing roses, jasmine, century-old trees, and the city's tallest palm, providing a lush outdoor backdrop for cocktails, vows, or sunset gatherings.
Fully accessible by water, the venue includes its own dock and two private guest apartments, enabling exclusive multi-day celebrations. The palace remains family-owned and is rarely open to the public, making it one of Venice's most discreet and coveted wedding venues.
Ca' Sagredo is a beautifully restored 15th-century palace turned boutique hotel, adorned with opulent Baroque art and grand frescoed ceilings overlooking the Grand Canal. Its elegant reception rooms—such as the Sala Maggiore and Sala del Camino—are ideal for intimate ceremonies or refined seated dinners, each set within original gilt frames and marble fireplaces. The rooftop terrace offers a romantic cocktail setting with sweeping canal views, perfect for sunset toasts or small receptions.
With just 42 rooms and suites, many featuring painted ceilings and period furnishings, the atmosphere feels like hosting your own private Venetian celebration. Couples can arrive by private boat at the hotel's water entrance before retreating to discreet event planning services and chef-crafted Venetian tasting menus.
Palazzo Zeno is a rare gem nestled in Venice's Dorsoduro district—a 14th-century residence thoughtfully transformed into an intimate boutique hotel. Its courtyard and charming rooftop terrace offer private outdoor ceremony settings with views of hidden canals and historic rooftops. The interior salons, with antique furnishings, exposed timber beams, and family heirlooms, create a warm, lived-in atmosphere ideal for small wedding gatherings. Couples can coordinate water-taxi arrivals directly at the front entrance and enjoy personalized service in a venue that feels like a well-loved Venetian family home.
The St. Regis Venice is a lavish waterfront palace hotel set on the Grand Canal, offering sweeping views and a sense of aristocratic splendor. Its Meravigli Ballroom and dramatic canal-facing grand salon feature bold frescoes, Murano glass chandeliers, and gilded décor—perfect for elegant indoor ceremonies with a dash of Venetian flair.
The hotel's spacious private terraces allow for al-fresco receptions or sunset aperitifs with guests floating by on the water. With over 110 rooms and suites blending classic Venetian styling with modern amenities, it accommodates both grand weddings and intimate gatherings. Full wedding planning support, including customized catering, floral design, and dedicated water-taxi logistics, ensures a seamless, romantic celebration from arrival to sparkler send-off.
From canal-side gardens and rooftop terraces to frescoed ballrooms and centuries-old courtyards, Venice offers a wide range of memorable wedding settings. Each venue brings something unique, whether it's a private dock, panoramic Grand Canal views, or layers of history visible in every detail.
Many properties include in-house planning, vintage boat transfers, and accommodations that make it easy for couples and their guests to settle in and celebrate without needing to look elsewhere. Whether you're drawn to a boutique palazzo, a storied luxury hotel, or a hidden garden retreat, Venice delivers a wedding experience rooted in character, beauty, and ease.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNET
2 hours ago
- CNET
Crisol is a BioShock-Like Cult Horror Shooter Using Your Blood For Bullets
One of the best things about Summer Game Fest is discovering games that blend some of your favorite classics into something wholly new. Crisol: Theater of Idols is a game with clear BioShock influence in its first-person shooter exploration, but melds some cult horror from games like Resident Evil 4 into the mix. On top of it all, to reload your gun, you've gotta sacrifice your own blood -- and take a chunk from your own health bar. It's a novel mechanic that combines with the gothic, nautical setting for a promising approach to horror action games. Crisol is being developed by Vermila Studios, which was acquired by Embracer Group in 2020, but the game is being published by Blumhouse Games. After playing through a 20-minute demo of his new game, the studio's CEO David Carrasco explained how its game is a course correction for horror games. Each gun has its own blood-reloading animation -- for this pistol, spikes jut out from the handle and pierce to palm to draw their tithe to reload. Vermila Studios "We've thought for a long time that survival horror was getting to where you didn't have that survival element so much," Carrasco said. "We wanted to give it an extra layer of tension by using your blood, your holy blood, to defeat these unholy monsters." I certainly felt it in the demo. As I stalked the moonlit cobblestone streets of an island teeming with unholy, creepy marionette creatures, knowing every missed shot was a bit of lost life. Survival horror games give players weapons to quench fear (or in their absence, amplify it, as with the Amnesia series), but tying my guns' efficacy to my health made me slow down and pick my shots, amping up the fear as enemies closed in -- "keeping that tension constantly in the back of your head," as Carrasco put it. While I felt the slightest concern for players with poor aim, there are health-restoring syringes sitting in the corners of abandoned shops and buildings. Crisol also has a mechanic where players can harvest blood (and thus, chunks of life) from dead animals lying around. Tying weapons to health is a twist on another survival horror game trope of saving heavy weapons ammo for dangerous bosses later on, Carrasco noted -- in Crisol, you'll always be able to use your big guns…for a price. In Crisol, players take on the role of Gabriel, captain of the Tercios Del Sol, a command of soldiers under a sun-worshiping religion that takes on holy missions. He receives a divine order to go to an old island that's spun off into its own sea religion, Tormentosa, and deal with idol statues that have come alive and begun rampaging around. When I asked what inspired Crisol, Carrasco was up-front that Bioshock and a number of Resident Evil games (4, 7 and 8 specifically) had the right mix of artistic design and gameplay Vermila Studios was looking for. Dishonored was another source for its heavy emphasis on art. "Sprinkle in Spanish folklore, religious undertones, and in the end, with all of those fantastic and crazy and brutal inspirations make something that will be unique and memorable," Carrasco said. Marionette-like idol enemies that have come to life on the island. Vermila Studios Spanish folklore is underutilized compared to the Japanese, Nordic and American mythology that appears in many games, Carrasco said. Vermila Studios, based in the Spanish city of Madrid, drew on its home country's history and culture -- and though the island players visit in Crisol doesn't explicitly take place in Spain, players will be able to connect the dots with the cathedrals, old architecture, polychromatic statues and stained-glass windows that make up the game's visual language. That blend applies to religion, too: players will run into a faith following on Crisol's island that follows religions of the sea and sun, which I saw a bit of in the demo, with deification of mermaids and other pseudo-pagan effects. But Carrasco acknowledges the Catholic influence in the game, too. "We've taken a lot of religious inspiration from different religious, like the Catholic Church, which has a lot of deeply rooted components in the Spanish culture, but [also] some other, older religions, even cults from very old history," Carrasco said, affirming that there's no explicit connection to the Catholic church or Christianity. "We do have holy blood, but it's not like a Christ or any connection to the reality of religions nowadays." As I wander the cobbled streets of the demo, I see how all these elements blend into Crisol's visual language. Vermila Studio has a larger-than-usual art department, Carrasco noted, with around 20 people working for five years scribbling out drafts of enemies and locations to give the game a look and feel that felt familiar, fantastical and plausible at the same time -- that it really could be on an island out to sea. Vermila Studios As players explore the 10- to 14-hour game, they'll experience the creeping horror of the cult's presence, but Vermila isn't relying on a lot of jump scares, Carrasco said, which can lose their impact if overused. Rather, the game will rely on the tension of enemies behind and pursuing you, from those you run out of blood bullets (and health) to defeat, to those unaffected by your weapons. In the second half of the demo, I ran into what Carrasco was talking about: a tall, hulking marionette monster with an impossibly wide smile that called out to me, shrugging off my bullets as I darted into buildings to evade its pursuit. Like other invulnerable pursuit bosses (Mr. X in Resident Evil 2, Jack Baker in Resident Evil 7), I had to sneak around while finding bolt cutters to clip chained-off doors. I also had to roll up a gate agonizingly slowly, expecting my stalker to close in on me at any second. I escaped into a mermaid-themed restaurant and the demo ended, but the vibes of the game stuck with me. They clearly appealed to Blumhouse, too, who were interested in Crisol's dramatic art style and its blood mechanics. For Vermila Studios, Blumhouse was a good fit for its track record of bringing in new artists and projects that may be smaller but bring something new to the table. "For us, being a part of this Blumhouse lineup is just like a partnership made in heaven -- or hell, maybe -- where they understand horror and what tickles that," Carrasco said. Crisol: Theater of Idols is coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox later in 2025.
Time Magazine
3 hours ago
- Time Magazine
The Gilded Age Is Just Too British to Love the American Dream
In the third season of HBO's The Gilded Age, a frothy costume drama set amid the robber barons and socialites of 1880s New York, a servant suddenly comes into money. So much of it, in fact, that he'll never have to work again. But instead of seizing his new-found freedom, the man keeps his windfall a secret and continues toiling below stairs. He simply can't imagine leaving a household staff that has become his surrogate family. Even for a show that's famous for its silliness, this is a ridiculous storyline. No one in their right mind would choose a 19th century servant's labors as a hobby. It isn't surprising, though, to see The Gilded Age telegraph such complacency among the lower classes or alarm at the prospect of sudden social mobility. Created by Downton Abbey mastermind Julian Fellowes, a bona fide aristocrat and Conservative politician in his home country of Britain, the series aspires to be more than what it is: a historical soap par excellence decked out in prestige drag. Successful or not, it's a reflection on the American Dream of equal opportunity as pursued by the self-made strivers of its era. Season 3, in particular, suggests that Fellowes does not wholly approve. This is the season where things start to get real for the show's quintessential dreamers: George (Morgan Spector) and Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon). Born into undistinguished families, this cartoonishly ambitious couple hustled to make George a titan of industry. Season 1 saw them and their nearly grown children, Larry (Harry Richardson) and Gladys (Taissa Farmiga), move into an ostentatious mansion on old-money 61st St. Bertha set about scheming to rule high society the way her husband dominated business. By the second season finale, her triumph in championing the new Metropolitan Opera had cemented the family's arrival. But in the new episodes, Bertha's obsession with marrying off Gladys, against her will, to a British duke (Ben Lamb), divides the Russells. In a parallel overreach—one that could bankrupt him—George insists on trying to build a cross-country railroad during an economic downturn. Unstable as they are, Fellowes implies, the Russells could fall as quickly as they rose. Holding steady in more modest, dated luxury across the street are the show's true heroes: quippy society widow Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) and her tenderhearted sister Ada Forte (Cynthia Nixon), who'd resigned herself to spinsterhood before meeting a kind reverend (Robert Sean Leonard) in Season 2. Alas, the marriage was short; he died of cancer almost immediately, and the meek— that is, Ada—inherited everything. It was a convenient twist, seeing as Agnes' troubled son, Oscar (Blake Ritson), had just been swindled out of their family's riches. The big drama among the sisters, this season, is Ada's struggle to wrest control of the household from Agnes, now that she's paying the bills. Nothing really changes, though—and in Fellowes' world, tradition and consistency are virtues. The Gilded Age isn't entirely opposed to progress. Haughty as she can be about the 'new people,' Agnes, like Downton 's imperious Violet Crawley before her, has a good heart. She's open-minded enough to employ a young Black writer, Peggy Scott (Denée Benton), as her secretary. This season, Peggy falls ill at the sisters' home, and they are horrified to see their family doctor refuse to treat her. When Peggy's parents (Audra McDonald and John Douglas Thompson) arrive with their own physician, Dr. Kirkland (Jordan Donica), Agnes and Ada graciously receive them at the front door. (A romance soon blossoms between doctor and patient, in one of the season's best storylines, bringing McDonald's character into delicious conflict with his snooty mom, played by Phylicia Rashad.) Populated by strong female personalities, the show also gets behind the feminist causes of its time, like women's suffrage. It's sympathetic to the plight of divorced women, then considered too scandalous to be received in polite society. What Fellowes can't countenance are privileged people who lack the magnanimity befitting their rank and, most of all, servants who are insufficiently grateful to their benevolent employers. If the Russells are presented as morally ambiguous antiheroes, then one of the season's only true villains is a member of their staff who leaks intel on the family to the press. 'Money is money,' this ostensible monster sniffs when caught. Never does anyone ask if Bertha is adequately compensating her employees, nor do we get to know the culprit well enough to understand the context for the crime. Three seasons in, The Gilded Age has barely explored its huge cast of servant characters. Like Downton, it has more sympathy for—and curiosity about—aristocrats desperate to keep fortunes they didn't earn than it does for workers whose pursuit of happiness is enshrined in America's founding documents. Through his characters, Fellowes communicates his approval for a more compassionate and inclusive upper crust. Yet the question of whether class-based gatekeeping and the economic stratification that enables it might be, in themselves, social ills isn't up for debate. (Would Agnes and Ada treat the Scotts with the same respect if they weren't refined members of the Black bourgeoisie?) Rather, the social scene is presumed to be inherently good and worthy of preservation. As Ada observes: 'Society's changed, Agnes. The trick is to accommodate the new without upsetting the boat.'
Los Angeles Times
4 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
Destination Venice: 9 Romantic Wedding Venues in Italy's ‘Floating City'
There's just something about Venice that makes it feel like a place made for love. Maybe it's the quiet corners you stumble into by accident, or the way the light hits the water in late afternoon. It's no wonder celebrities like George and Amal Clooney and Anya Taylor-Joy chose to marry here—and now Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are reportedly next. The city is full of beautiful venues, from ornate palazzos to gardens that feel like secrets. We pulled together six of our favorites—each one special in its own way. Some are grand, some more low-key, but all of them have that unmistakable Venetian atmosphere that makes a wedding feel like a moment out of a grand and historic fairy tale. Aman Venice occupies Palazzo Papadopoli, one of the eight grand palazzos lining the Grand Canal, combining Rococo frescoes and Murano crystal chandeliers with Jean-Michel Gathy's refined minimalist interiors. It's the only hotel in Venice to feature two private canal-side gardens—the Canal Garden and the Pergola Garden—which serve as rare outdoor ceremony or reception spaces. The historic double piano nobile houses grand event rooms, including a luminous ballroom, salon, library, and multiple dining spaces, each retaining frescoed ceilings and elegant period details ideal for both intimate and larger wedding celebrations. With just 24 suites, direct Grand Canal access, and fully tailored celebration services, it offers luxury couples a rare blend of exclusivity, heritage, and discreet Aman hospitality—all steps from Piazza San Marco Hotel Locanda Vivaldi is housed in the historic home of composer Antonio Vivaldi, rebuilt into a boutique hotel perched on the Riva degli Schiavoni with views across St. Mark's Basin—just steps from Piazza San Marco. Its panoramic rooftop terrace offers sweeping vistas of iconic landmarks like San Giorgio, the bell tower, and the lagoon, making it a stunning setting for a sunset reception. The hotel organizes full wedding packages, from ceremony coordination to vintage boat transfers and traditional Venetian catering. With fewer than 30 rooms—including suites with private balconies and lagoon views—it's well-suited to couples seeking an intimate celebration framed by genuine Venetian history. Hotel Palazzo Stern is a 15th-century, neo-Gothic palazzo turned boutique hotel, standing directly on the Grand Canal in Dorsoduro with a terrace offering sweeping canal views. Its intimate, art-filled interiors—complete with frescoes, mosaics, carved wood, and antique mosaics—create a refined, historical atmosphere perfect for an elegant small wedding. The rooftop terrace can host welcome drinks or a reception against the backdrop of Venice's waterways, while on-site event planning includes vintage boat transfers and customized menus. With under 70 rooms, valet parking, and concierge-arranged logistics via water taxi, it strikes a balance between relaxed exclusivity and Venetian grandeur. The Gritti Palace is a 15th-century noble residence turned luxury hotel, set directly on the Grand Canal across from Santa Maria della Salute. Its richly decorated interiors feature antique Murano glass chandeliers, original frescoes, and period furnishings, creating an opulent backdrop for wedding celebrations. The Redentore Terrace and canal-side Gritti Terrace offer panoramic views ideal for elegant outdoor receptions or sunset toasts. With in-house floral and culinary teams, a private Riva boat for arrivals, and just 82 rooms, the hotel specializes in intimate events with unmistakable Venetian character. Couples can host ceremonies in the ornate Longhi Room or reserve the Club del Doge restaurant for a formal seated dinner. Located just minutes from St. Mark's Square, the property also offers easy access to Venice's most iconic photo backdrops. Palazzo Nani Bernardo is a private 16th-century Renaissance palace on the Grand Canal, blending historical grandeur with an intimate, residential feel. Its second piano nobile features a long hall and five side salons, ideal for refined indoor ceremonies and seated dinners. The crowning jewel is its hidden Italian-style garden—one of the largest in Venice—complete with climbing roses, jasmine, century-old trees, and the city's tallest palm, providing a lush outdoor backdrop for cocktails, vows, or sunset gatherings. Fully accessible by water, the venue includes its own dock and two private guest apartments, enabling exclusive multi-day celebrations. The palace remains family-owned and is rarely open to the public, making it one of Venice's most discreet and coveted wedding venues. Ca' Sagredo is a beautifully restored 15th-century palace turned boutique hotel, adorned with opulent Baroque art and grand frescoed ceilings overlooking the Grand Canal. Its elegant reception rooms—such as the Sala Maggiore and Sala del Camino—are ideal for intimate ceremonies or refined seated dinners, each set within original gilt frames and marble fireplaces. The rooftop terrace offers a romantic cocktail setting with sweeping canal views, perfect for sunset toasts or small receptions. With just 42 rooms and suites, many featuring painted ceilings and period furnishings, the atmosphere feels like hosting your own private Venetian celebration. Couples can arrive by private boat at the hotel's water entrance before retreating to discreet event planning services and chef-crafted Venetian tasting menus. Palazzo Zeno is a rare gem nestled in Venice's Dorsoduro district—a 14th-century residence thoughtfully transformed into an intimate boutique hotel. Its courtyard and charming rooftop terrace offer private outdoor ceremony settings with views of hidden canals and historic rooftops. The interior salons, with antique furnishings, exposed timber beams, and family heirlooms, create a warm, lived-in atmosphere ideal for small wedding gatherings. Couples can coordinate water-taxi arrivals directly at the front entrance and enjoy personalized service in a venue that feels like a well-loved Venetian family home. The St. Regis Venice is a lavish waterfront palace hotel set on the Grand Canal, offering sweeping views and a sense of aristocratic splendor. Its Meravigli Ballroom and dramatic canal-facing grand salon feature bold frescoes, Murano glass chandeliers, and gilded décor—perfect for elegant indoor ceremonies with a dash of Venetian flair. The hotel's spacious private terraces allow for al-fresco receptions or sunset aperitifs with guests floating by on the water. With over 110 rooms and suites blending classic Venetian styling with modern amenities, it accommodates both grand weddings and intimate gatherings. Full wedding planning support, including customized catering, floral design, and dedicated water-taxi logistics, ensures a seamless, romantic celebration from arrival to sparkler send-off. From canal-side gardens and rooftop terraces to frescoed ballrooms and centuries-old courtyards, Venice offers a wide range of memorable wedding settings. Each venue brings something unique, whether it's a private dock, panoramic Grand Canal views, or layers of history visible in every detail. Many properties include in-house planning, vintage boat transfers, and accommodations that make it easy for couples and their guests to settle in and celebrate without needing to look elsewhere. Whether you're drawn to a boutique palazzo, a storied luxury hotel, or a hidden garden retreat, Venice delivers a wedding experience rooted in character, beauty, and ease.
