William Somerset Maugham once wrote of Venice that one of the strangest things about it is that “However often you return, you are staggered by its beauty as when you saw it for the first time”. Venice has remained timeless and unique, a city without wheels, a metropolis of romantic waterways, which continue to exude an air of melancholy, nostalgia, richness and romance.
Its world-familiar landmarks, St. Marks Basilica, The Doge’s Palace, The Rialto and Bridge of Sighs are admired by all. Here you will discover tiny, charming piazzas, quaint old churches, silent palazzos and fascinating old shops.
As the sun sets, why not enjoy the famous Bellini cocktail from some of the magnificent hotel terrace and watch the magnificent silhouette of Venice sink into the sunset, still, after thousand years, one of the supreme sights of civilisation.
There is no other city in the world romantic as Venice, where else you can marry in an 16th century Palace facing the Grand Canal and Rialto’s bridge? Where else in the world you can take a memorable gondola ride after your wedding while watching the dramatic scene of the sun fading into the Venetian lagoon!
Orchidea Raffinata Italy Weddings has selected the most elegant and charming palazzos, hotels, restaurants where to celebrate your wedding in Venice. Our Venice based wedding planners will share with you their experience and help you to plan a romantic and unique Venetian wedding.
Many amazing Churches are a must see in the city of Venice, a city that makes you feel surrounded by art, history, amazing architecture, music and charm, the finest city in the world. The Churches we recommend for your wedding ceremonies boast intimate and relaxed settings, perfect for those who are looking for romantic Catholic Wedding, always over the expectations! This is Venice. Let us guide you to select the best atmosphere according to the type of event you wish, a wedding in Venice can be a fairy tale, no matter if it is just the two of you or you are inviting a large group, memories of a wedding in Venice will last forever.
Church description
Saint Mark's Basilica is the most famous Church in Venice, one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture in the world, a monument that reflects Venice greatness. During the centuries the Venetians embellished it with precious objects and works of art brought in from different places in the world. Visitors can enjoy more than 8000 square meters of mosaic that cover the Basilica walls, vaults and cupolas. The eastern arm has a raised presbytery with a crypt beneath. Catholic weddings are allowed in this enchanting Crypt that re-opened to the public in 1994 after seven years of restoration work. It is amazing to think that the Crypt lies below the sea level! What a unique and romantic place for a Wedding, in the secret heart of Venice.
S Giacomo dell'Orio Church is another Churches we love and recommend to our couples. The church is one of the oldest in the city and was erected in the 9th century, is based on the Latin cross design with three naves and is located in the heart of the city. Catholic weddings with legal validity are allowed and an English speaking priest is available.
Church of the Redentore is one of the largest churches in Venice, suitable to more than 300 guests. This large church located on the Giudecca island was commissioned by the Venetian Republic's senate in 1577 as a memorial church consecrated to Christ the Redeemer in thanks for the end of the plague in 1576. Catholic ceremonies can be legally binding at the same time. English speaking priest available.
The church of S. Moisè, this is one of the most charming churches in Venice, located near the fashionable district of San Marco close to the finest hotels of town. It has an extravagant Baroque facade and a decorative interior, it is a church suitable for large weddings.
About catholic weddings in Venice
Catholic wedding ceremonies in Venice can be religious only or legally binding at the same time. Ceremonies are performed by a local English-speaking priest but in case the priest of the couple wish to travel to celebrate the wedding, he will be warmly welcomed by the local priest. Floral decorations and classical music are allowed, the organist is a must but the atmosphere created by an harp playing during the wedding ceremony is something we strongly recommend. If the ceremony is legally binding, we will settle an appointment at the Town Hall for a quick formality after the usual meeting with the local priest. Arrival at the church can be an amazing experience! Bride can arrive by private taxi or gondola, be helped by her father to walk out and reach the church entrance. The photographer takes shots of this special arrival that takes you inside the church where your new life begins.
More information in Venice weddings are available – contact wedding@orchidearaffinata.com
Venice is a city located in the North-East of Italy, famous all over the world for being a "floating city" of unique beauty. This is a city of water where there are no streets and no cars, only canals. All the buildings are surrounded by water and the only mean of transportation available are boats or gondolas. Venice stretches across 117 small islands, while the city is divided into six areas or "sestriere". Winters are cool and summers are very warm but this does not affect the beauty of this unique city where any of the 365 days in a year is simply perfect for a romantic wedding. Only in Venice a Bride can arrive at the Wedding Hall by gondola and you will also give your guests the chance to experience such an amazing ride after the civil ceremony along the authentic Venetian callas. Venice is also one of the most beautiful cities of art, millions of visitors arrive each year to simply visit the city or enjoy attractions such as the Biennale or the Film Festival or the well-known Carnival. A wide offer of accommodations from luxury and sophisticated hotels to typical B&B welcome people from all over the world. Rich and luxurious noble palaces with unique Venetian interiors made of sumptuous drapery with rich damasks, beautiful girandole mirrors, colorful chandeliers made of Venetian glass of Murano are nowadays turned into Grand Hotels or are available for unique events like wedding banquets suitable to large but also for small groups. If you are looking for everlasting memories of your wedding day, Venice is definitely the right choice.
Venue description
Civil ceremonies in Venice are performed every day of the week in a simple but elegantly furnished room on the Piano Nobile of an historical Palace whose entrance is right on the Canal. The name of this Palace is Palazzo Cavalli that is a three-floor, XVI century Renaissance building The marriage hall can accommodate up to 70 guests. The hall is full of light with splendid large windows overlooking the Grand Canal that provide a magnificent panorama. Inside this enchanting hall is possible to admire a wonderful painting entitled "The Golden Wedding" work of the famous Venetian artist Luigi Nono. A lovely adjoining smaller room, finely decorated and enriched with period furniture is available for very small weddings, from which you can enjoy an extraordinary view of Rialto's bridge. Getting married at Palazzo Cavalli means marrying in a very important Venetian Palace and one of the most dramatic venues of Italy.
About civil weddings in Venice
Civil wedding ceremonies in the city Venice are performed all year round, during the whole week, morning and afternoon, except festivities. Civil ceremonies are performed in Italian and translated by our staff. The ceremony last approximately 20 minutes and can be enriched with personal vows, readings, poems and classical music. There are no formalities requested by the authorities before the ceremony therefore there is no minimum residency applied. Your exact itinerary will depend on your citizenship and will be studied by our wedding planners.
More information in Venice weddings are available – contact wedding@orchidearaffinata.com
Jewish weddings in Italy are becoming more and more popular every year and Venice in particular is one of the cities that welcomes this amazing and meaningful type of ceremony. Orthodox wedding ceremonies in Italy can take place in a Sinagogue, there is a beautiful one in the Jewish Ghetto in Venice, where two Jews are united in matrimony under a Chuppah that symbolizes the new home being built by the couple when they become husband and wife. The Community in Venice is Orthodox and follow the Sephardic minhag. Outdoor ceremonies in a private location instead are allowed with a Reform Rabbi or if the couple travels with their Rabbi, and Venice sure offers several options for ceremonies and receptions that are known for being jubilant celebrations where dancing is a really important part.
Jewish wedding ceremonies are full of elements that reflect the history and beliefs of the Jewish people, elements like the Chuppah or the shattered wine glass.
Today Venice has five synagogues (Schola Spagnola, Schola Levantina, Schola Italiana, Schola Tedesca, Schola Canton.), a Jewish bookstore, a Jewish publishing house, a social centre, a museum, a yeshiva and a kosher restaurant. The Schola Spagnola synagogue was built around the end of 16th century and is the biggest and most impressive between all the Venetian Schole, with a big wooden main door on top on which there are big windows with coloured glass plugs.
The date of the wedding is agreed with the Rabbi in accordance to the Jewish law since there are periods of the year when weddings are not allowed. Jewish ceremonies are religious only, there is no agreement between the Government and the Jewish community that authorizes Jewish weddings that are legally binding at the same time.
More information in Venice weddings are available – contact
wedding@orchidearaffinata.com
Just imagine how wonderful it would be to have your protestant ceremony in Venice, in the most romantic and famous city of the world. An unforgettable memory of your very special and unique day, in the beautiful historical Venice, with its little canals, the splendid venetian style palaces with their antique decors and the amazing view over the Grand Canal.
Your protestant ceremony can be held in Saint George's Anglican church, an antique Patrician palace, restored and readapted for this use. The entrance of the church, has a simple double wooden door and a semicircle cover in stone of Istria, on the top and a bas-relief representing Saint George killing the dragon with 2 bronze lateral panels.
You will be able to choose floral decorations for the church and the music performance for the ceremony. After the ceremony you will enjoy a photo session around Venice with the most spectacular settings and little corners of the historical part of the town.
More info
More information in Venice weddings are available – contact wedding@orchidearaffinata.com
A symbolic wedding in Venice, the most romantic and unforgettable way to celebrate your very special day! This city is known worldwide for its historical past and for all the architectural monuments that give to every single person that visits the town, that magical feeling of returning to the antique Venetian times. You will imagine Casanova walking at night along the narrow canals or having a ride on a gondola with a beautiful lady. The Grand Canal, The Rialto Bridge, Saint Mark square, The Sospiri bridge, all enchanting places for a photo session or a gondola ride, for your unique and ever lasting wedding memory.
Choosing to have a symbolic wedding in Venice will give you the opportunity to select your favorite venue among different locations, outside or indoors, in antique and luxury hotels or even on a gondola!
Venues suggestions
Venice Luxury Palace with its exceptional decors, entirely restored to its antique beauty is one of Venice's most beautiful buildings where symbolic weddings can be organized in the internal halls, overlooking the Grand Canal, surrounded by antique furniture and famous artists' paintings. It can be considered one of Venice's gem, for its contemporary chic style, mixed with the elegance and antiquity of the interiors. Having your symbolic wedding celebrated in this magnificent palace, will make you feel as a princess and her prince.
If you wish to get married with a symbolic ceremony in a fabulous garden, then the" Private Garden in Venice" is the ideal setting for your desires. A 5 star hotel with a fantastic internal garden, luxuriant vegetation, spectacular lights, collocated to create magical and romantic atmospheres! The 18th century building that in the past hosted the French Embassy is adorned with precious marbles, splendid frescoes, majestic chandeliers which give to the entire venue, a unique, elegant and refined effect. This hotel is the only one in Venice that can feature the possession of an internal garden, overlooking the lagoon, perfectly conserved in all its original details. A memorable ceremony in a supernatural setting, with a gate at the back of the property that opens on the venetian lagoon, just unforgettable... Ceremonies can be also performed in the inside halls.
Another super location, situated on the Giudecca island is the "Venice Luxury island hotel". You won't ever forget your symbolic wedding in this secluded, elegant and refined location. The hotel has a swimming pool, a tennis court and its restaurant has been praised by gourmets all over Italy for its exquisite cuisine! The hotel is reachable from Saint Mark's square by water taxi. Symbolic ceremonies can be performed outside in the antique gardens or in the internal halls. The amazing gardens overlook the lagoon and you will feel the fresh breeze over your face. You will just fall in love with the wonderful view of Venice that you will have from this stunning location. This hotel which belongs to the Orient Express hotel chain, is finely decorated, with an exquisite taste. Refinement and elegance are the main elements in this spectacular setting. The internals are also ideal for a wedding celebration. You won't know which place to choose, if outside or in the inside splendid halls!
About symbolic weddings in Venice
Symbolic ceremonies have no legal validity and can be celebrated by a local minister, a celebrant or even by a member of the family of the bride and groom. You can entirely personalize your wedding vows, there are no limits to create your very special symbolic ceremony. If you would like to have your wedding celebrated outside, please remember to choose summer periods, such as from June to September.
More info
More information in Venice weddings are available – contact wedding@orchidearaffinata.com
Share