For couples envisioning a relaxed, non-traditional ceremony followed by a delightful dinner with close family and friends, Venice presents a myriad of exquisite possibilities. This guide is tailored for those planning a small wedding, around 20 guests, seeking a unique experience without the formality of a full wedding reception.
We understand the desire for a memorable event that reflects your personal style, focusing on quality time with your loved ones rather than elaborate formalities. Whether you envision a rooftop dinner overlooking the Grand Canal or a charming waterside restaurant, Venice has hidden gems waiting to be discovered. While exclusive use requirements can sometimes be a hurdle for smaller gatherings, we'll explore venues that are more accommodating to intimate celebrations, providing insights into their advantages, disadvantages, and budgetary considerations.
Let's dive into some of the most captivating venues in Venice that could be perfect for your intimate wedding.
FEATURED VENUES FOR YOUR INTIMATE VENETIAN WEDDING
1. Hotel Danieli, Venice: Grandeur with a View
Overview: The Hotel Danieli is an iconic luxury hotel in Venice, renowned for its opulent interiors and prime location overlooking the Venetian Lagoon and just steps from St. Mark's Square. It comprises three historic palaces, offering a truly grand Venetian experience. While it's a high-end venue, certain spaces can be suitable for smaller, intimate gatherings.
Suitability for 20 Guests: For a group of 20, the Hotel Danieli offers the Sala Ducale, a private banquet room that can host up to 40 guests. This elegant space provides glorious views of the Palazzo dei Dogi, offering a sophisticated setting for a dinner. The famous Terrazza Danieli, a rooftop restaurant with spectacular lagoon views, can accommodate up to 140 guests, but exclusive use for smaller events is granted on rare occasions for exceptional events. This suggests that securing the Terrazza for a non-traditional, dinner-only event for 20 might be challenging without a full reception commitment.
Advantages:
•Unbeatable Location and Views: Directly on the Riva degli Schiavoni, offering stunning vistas of the lagoon, San Giorgio Maggiore island, and the Palazzo Ducale.
•Luxurious Ambiance: The hotel's historic and opulent decor provides a truly Venetian, high-end atmosphere.
•Prestigious Reputation: A world-renowned hotel, ensuring impeccable service and a memorable experience.
•Suitable Private Dining Space: The Sala Ducale is a viable option for a seated dinner for 20 guests.
Disadvantages:
•High Cost: As a premier luxury hotel, the Hotel Danieli comes with a significant price tag. Room rates can exceed $6,000 per night, and event costs are commensurately high.
•Potential for Exclusivity Requirements: While the Sala Ducale is suitable, securing the Terrazza Danieli for a small, non-traditional dinner without a full reception might be difficult due as exclusive use is typically reserved for larger, exceptional events.
•Formal Atmosphere: The overall ambiance is very formal, which might not align perfectly with a
client's desire for a very relaxed and non-traditional ceremony.
Budgetary Aspects: Expect a very high budget for any event at Hotel Danieli. While specific pricing for a 20-person dinner is not publicly available, the overall cost will reflect its five-star luxury status and prime location.
2. Baglioni Hotel Luna, Venice: Elegant and Flexible
Overview: The Baglioni Hotel Luna is another exquisite five-star hotel in Venice, known for its elegant Venetian style and proximity to St. Mark's Square. It offers a range of flexible event venues, including ballrooms and terraces with inspiring views of the city and Venetian canals.
Suitability for 20 Guests: The Baglioni Hotel Luna is well-suited for intimate gatherings of around 20 people. They offer flexible event spaces that can be adapted for smaller groups, including terraces with views. While they cater to larger weddings, their flexibility suggests they can accommodate a non-traditional dinner-only event.
Advantages:
•Elegant Venetian Setting: The hotel boasts beautiful interiors and a classic Venetian ambiance.
•Flexible Event Spaces: Offers various ballrooms and terraces that can be configured for intimate dinners.
•Proximity to St. Mark's Square: Conveniently located for guests to explore Venice.
•Water Views: Terraces offer inspiring views of the city and Venetian canals.
Disadvantages:
•High Cost: Similar to Hotel Danieli, Baglioni Hotel Luna is a luxury establishment, and costs will be significant. Room rates can exceed $1,000 per night.
•Potential for Formal Atmosphere: While flexible, the overall setting is still quite formal, which might not entirely align with a client's desire for a very relaxed and non-traditional ceremony.
Budgetary Aspects: Expect a high budget for events at Baglioni Hotel Luna. Specific pricing for a 20-person dinner would need to be obtained directly from the hotel, but it will reflect its five-star luxury status.
3. The Gritti Palace, Venice: Unparalleled Luxury and Views
Overview: The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is an iconic Venetian landmark, offering an experience of unparalleled luxury and breathtaking views of the Grand Canal. It is renowned for its exquisite interiors, exceptional service, and prime location.
Suitability for 20 Guests: The Gritti Palace offers several venues suitable for intimate gatherings. The Salone Gritti can accommodate up to 100 people for banquets, making it a spacious yet elegant option for a 20-person dinner. The spectacular Redentore Terrace, located on the hotel's rooftop, provides unequalled views of Venice and the Grand Canal and is perfect for celebrations. While it's a grand space, it can be adapted for private, intimate events. The Gritti Terrace offers a prestigious and intimate venue for waterfront wedding receptions.
Advantages:
•Iconic Grand Canal Views: Offers some of the most stunning views of the Grand Canal in Venice.
•Ultimate Luxury and Service: Known for its impeccable service and opulent setting, providing an unforgettable experience.
•Versatile Event Spaces: Multiple options for private dining, including indoor salons and outdoor terraces with water views.
•Historical Significance: A truly historic and renowned Venetian landmark.
Disadvantages:
•Extremely High Cost: The Gritti Palace is one of the most expensive hotels in Venice, with room rates that can be exceptionally high. Event costs will reflect this ultra-luxury status.
•Formal Atmosphere: The ambiance is highly formal and traditional, which might not align with a client seeking a very relaxed and non-traditional ceremony.
•Exclusive Use Considerations: While they offer private spaces, securing the most sought-after areas like the Redentore Terrace for a dinner-only event might still involve discussions around exclusivity and minimum spends.
Budgetary Aspects: Prepare for a very significant budget. The Gritti Palace is a top-tier luxury venue, and its pricing reflects its exclusivity and unparalleled offerings. Costs for a 20-person dinner would be at the very high end of the spectrum.
4. Palazzetto Pisani, Venice: Historic Charm with Canal Access
Overview: Palazzetto Pisani is a historic Venetian palace offering a unique and authentic setting for events. It provides a blend of historical grandeur and intimate spaces, with the added charm of direct canal access.
Suitability for 20 Guests: Palazzetto Pisani is recommended for groups of 20-100 people, making it highly suitable for a 20-person intimate wedding dinner. They offer various spaces, including the Salotto del Doge Grand Canal for cocktails and the Salone Pisani for dinner. A notable advantage is the possibility to enter the Palazzetto by gondola through a private water entrance, adding a truly Venetian and non-traditional touch to the arrival.
Advantages:
•Authentic Venetian Palace Experience: Offers a historic and charming atmosphere, distinct from a modern hotel.
•Direct Canal Access: The private water entrance allows for a unique and romantic arrival by gondola.
•Suitable for Small to Medium Groups: Explicitly recommended for 20-100 people, indicating flexibility for intimate events.
•Private Dining Options: Dedicated spaces for cocktails and dinner.
Disadvantages:
•Less Information on Specific Pricing: While suitable for the group size, detailed pricing for a 20-person dinner would need direct inquiry.
•Potential for Less Formal Service: Compared to five-star hotels, the service might be more personalized but less rigidly formal, which could be an advantage or disadvantage depending on preference.
Budgetary Aspects: Likely to be in the mid-to-high range, offering a luxurious experience without the ultra-premium pricing of the top-tier hotels. Direct inquiry is recommended for precise costs.
5. Bistrot de Venise: Intimate Dining with Canal Views
Overview: Bistrot de Venise is a renowned restaurant in Venice, celebrated for its Venetian gastronomy and extensive wine list. Beyond its main dining area, it offers private dining rooms that provide an intimate and exclusive setting.
Suitability for 20 Guests: While their Casanova Room is suitable for 8-12 people, their La Residenza private room is a strong contender for a 20-person dinner. This 18th-century Venetian-style room overlooks a canal where gondolas pass, offering a charming and authentic Venetian experience. It can seat a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 16-18 guests, which is slightly under the 20 requested, but might be flexible or a very tight fit. It's worth noting that the client is looking for a relaxed, non-traditional ceremony followed by a nice dinner, and this venue focuses on the dinner aspect.
Advantages:
•Authentic Venetian Dining Experience: Focuses on traditional Venetian cuisine and a rich wine selection.
•Private Canal-View Dining: La Residenza offers charming views of a canal with passing gondolas, providing the desired water view for dinner.
•Intimate Setting: The private rooms are designed for exclusive and personal gatherings.
•Potentially More Budget-Friendly: While still a fine dining establishment, the room hire fees might be more accessible compared to the luxury hotels, offering a high-quality experience without the ultra-premium hotel overheads.
Disadvantages:
•Capacity Limit: La Residenza's stated maximum capacity of 16-18 guests is slightly less than the client's 20, which would need to be confirmed for flexibility.
•Not a Full Wedding Venue: This is a restaurant, so it would primarily cater to the dinner aspect, and the ceremony would need to be arranged elsewhere.
Budgetary Aspects: Room hire for La Residenza starts from €1,000, with food and drink costs additional. This could be a more cost-effective option for a private dinner with water views compared to the luxury hotels, offering a high-quality culinary experience.
6. Palazzo Cavalli (Venice Town Hall):
This Renaissance palace on the Grand Canal is Venice’s civil wedding hall, seating up to ~70 guests in a light-filled ceremony room. It has an elegant hall with large windows and a terrace overlooking the Rialto Bridge.
Advantages:
Historic grandeur and central canalside location; in-house interpreters are available (no language barrier).
Disadvantages:
Limited capacity (~70 people) and formal bureaucracy (must schedule official hours)
Budget:
Official civil ceremony fees apply; costs vary by date and nationality (outsider or off-hours ceremonies incur extra fees)
7. Ca’ Sagredo Hotel
A 15th-century Grand Canal palace-hotel with frescoed ceilings and ornate Ballrooms (Sala Amigoni, Doge Hall, etc.). It even has a rooftop terrace for very intimate ceremonies with panoramic canal views.
Advantages:
Lavish historical interiors and true canal frontage make weddings feel like a fairy tale.
Disadvantages:
As a luxury venue, it is expensive. For example, a symbolic ceremony package alone starts at about €1,000 (+ VAT).
Budget:
Expect high-end pricing – e.g. symbolic ceremonies from ~€1,000 and large weddings easily much more, given its 5-star status.
8. Ca’ Nigra Lagoon Resort:
A 4-star romantic hotel on Giudecca (lagoon), set in a 19th-century palazzo with lush waterside gardens.
Advantages:
Quiet and intimate; the garden by the canal offers a charming spot for vows away from crowds. Guests have noted a “lush garden right by the water” and a “cozy, authentic” vibe.
Disadvantages:
It lacks the grand palatial “wow” of St. Mark’s hotels, and it requires boat transport.
Budget:
More affordable than Venice’s palace hotels – couples report it as “far more affordable than the palatial venues”, making it good for moderate budgets.
9. Locanda Cipriani (Torcello Island):
A legendary country inn and restaurant on the quiet island of Torcello in the lagoon
Advantages:
Extremely private and romantic – it’s famous for its flower-filled garden and canal views. Very few people live here, so weddings feel secluded (even celebrities dine here).
Disadvantages:
Remote –about a 30-minute boat ride from Venice
– and it only has 6 guest rooms (3 singles, 3 suites), so only very small weddings are possible.
Budget:
It is a high-end gourmet venue (with a “top class” restaurant), so expect premium catering and venue costs (menus and full-service weddings here can be expensive).
10. San Clemente Palace Kempinski (Isola San Clemente):
A 5-star resort on its own private island in the lagoon
Advantages:
Very secluded and scenic – the island has 12th-century church chapel and extensive gardens with sweeping lagoon views. It can host both ceremonies and receptions outdoors in its Acquerello Terrace or gardens.
Disadvantages:
Requires a boat transfer (10 minutes from St. Mark’s) and carries top-tier pricing.
Budget:
A luxury resort often used by VIPs, it is among the most expensive options (catering to billionaires), so only the highest budgets.
11. NH Collection Grand Hotel Palazzo dei Dogi:
A lesser-known 5-star hotel in quiet Cannaregio with a huge private botanical garden (2,000 m²)
Advantages:
Offers a “secret” English garden and a “Secret Garden” ceremony space, with water views (overlooking Murano).
There is even a private boat landing at one palace garden – one such rose garden hosts only ~20 guests and includes its own gondola dock.
Disadvantages:
By design it’s very exclusive and small-scale. It feels hidden away and only suited to intimate weddings.
Budget:
As a 5-star NH Collection property, prices are high for its exclusivity and private gardens (probably comparable to other luxury Venetian palaces).
CONSIDERING CAPRI: AN ALTERNATIVE FOR YOUR INTIMATE ITALIAN WEDDING
While Venice offers a unique charm, if you like the see you may also want to consider Capri as a possibility. Capri, a stunning island in the Bay of Naples, provides a different but equally enchanting backdrop for an intimate wedding. Known for its dramatic coastline, grottoes, and luxurious hotels, Capri offers a blend of natural beauty and sophisticated elegance.
Capri Venues for Intimate Celebrations
1. Hotel La Palma, Capri: Historic Elegance with Rooftop Views
Overview: As Capri's very first hotel, established in 1822, Hotel La Palma has been meticulously transformed into a luxurious 50-bedroom and suite hotel. It's ideally located moments from the well-loved Piazzetta, offering a blend of history and modern luxury.
Suitability for 20 Guests: Hotel La Palma offers several spaces that could be suitable for an intimate dinner for 20 guests. Their glamorous Bianca Rooftop boasts views out to sea and over Capri village and can accommodate up to 120 guests, making it a spacious option for a smaller group. Alternatively, their restaurant can host up to 40 guests inside or 50 outside, and the relaxed beach club can seat up to 68 guests on its outdoor terrace. This flexibility makes it a strong contender for a non-traditional dinner.
Advantages:
•Historic and Luxurious Setting: A beautifully renovated historic hotel offering a high-end experience.
•Multiple Dining Spaces: Various options for intimate dinners, including a rooftop with sea views and a beach club.
•Michelin-Starred Cuisine: The restaurant is run by a two-Michelin-starred chef, promising an exceptional culinary experience.
•Central Location: Close to the Piazzetta, offering convenience for guests.
Disadvantages:
•Potentially Larger Scale: While flexible, some spaces might feel larger than desired for a very intimate group of 20, especially the rooftop designed for up to 120 guests.
•High Cost: As a luxury hotel with Michelin-starred dining, costs will be significant.
Budgetary Aspects: Expect a high budget, similar to the luxury hotels in Venice, especially given the Michelin-starred dining and prime location.
2. Da Gelsomina, Anacapri: Rustic Charm and Authentic Cuisine
Overview: Nestled in the countryside of Anacapri, Da Gelsomina offers a more rustic and authentic Capri experience. It's famed for its traditional island cuisine, with many ingredients sourced directly from its own vegetable gardens and orchards.
Suitability for 20 Guests: Da Gelsomina is an excellent choice for a relaxed, non-traditional dinner. They offer beautiful gardens and a panoramic terrace for ceremonies, with receptions possible poolside or in their large indoor dining room. Their focus on authentic cuisine and a more laid-back atmosphere aligns well with the client's preferences.
Advantages:
•Authentic Capri Experience: Offers a charming, rustic setting away from the main tourist hubs.
•Exceptional Local Cuisine: Renowned for its traditional island dishes made with fresh, local ingredients.
•Beautiful Gardens and Panoramic Terrace: Provides a lovely backdrop for a relaxed dinner.
•In-House Wedding Planner: Offers personalized assistance with planning.
Disadvantages:
•Countryside Location: While charming, it's in Anacapri, which might mean less direct water views compared to coastal venues.
•Less Formal: The rustic charm might not appeal to those seeking a highly formal luxury experience.
Budgetary Aspects: Likely more affordable than the ultra-luxury hotels, offering a high-quality culinary experience in a charming setting. Specific pricing would require direct inquiry.
Summary of Venue Possibilities
To help you visualize and compare the options, here's a summary table of the discussed venues:
Key Considerations for Your Intimate Wedding in Venice or Capri
Planning an intimate wedding, especially in a destination like Venice, requires attention to detail and a clear understanding of your priorities. Here are some key considerations to ensure your celebration is as seamless and magical as you envision:
•Define Your Vision: Clearly articulate what a "non-traditional" and "relaxed" ceremony means to you. Is it a civil ceremony at a town hall, a symbolic blessing, or something else entirely? This will guide your venue and vendor choices.
•Prioritize Your Budget: Be realistic about your budget. While intimate weddings can be more cost-effective than large-scale events, luxury destinations like Venice and Capri come with a premium. Factor in not just venue and catering, but also travel, accommodation, legal fees (if applicable), and any desired extras like photography, flowers, or music.
•Embrace Local Expertise: Consider working with a local wedding planner or event coordinator who specializes in intimate destination weddings. They will have invaluable knowledge of local regulations, trusted vendors, and hidden gems that might not be easily found online. They can also help navigate language barriers and cultural nuances.
•Focus on the Experience: For a small group, the emphasis can truly be on creating a memorable experience for everyone. This could involve unique activities, personalized touches, and exceptional dining that wouldn't be feasible with a larger guest list.
•Legal Requirements: If you plan to have a legally binding ceremony, research the specific legal requirements for getting married in Italy well in advance. This often involves paperwork, translations, and specific timelines.
•Transportation: In Venice, transportation is primarily by water. Consider how you and your guests will move between locations (e.g., gondolas, water taxis). In Capri, taxis and local buses are common, but walking can be a delightful way to explore.
•Seasonality: September is a beautiful time to visit both Venice and Capri, offering pleasant weather. However, it can still be popular, so booking venues and accommodations well in advance is crucial.
By carefully considering these aspects and leveraging the unique charm of Venice or Capri, you can create an intimate wedding celebration that is truly unforgettable and perfectly reflects your love story.