Venice’s romantic and intimate atmosphere makes it an ideal location for elopements and destination weddings, especially for couples seeking a celebration with just a few close guests. The city is perfectly suited to evoke the deep emotions that intimate weddings bring.
As an elopement photographer in Venice, I find these personal ceremonies incredibly moving and inspiring. There’s a unique energy to intimate weddings—the emotions shared are often worth more than those at a grand celebration. And when the couple already has children, these moments become even more special and touching.
If you’re planning a civil ceremony, Palazzo Cavalli, with its views of the Grand Canal and the iconic Rialto Bridge, is a top choice for saying your vows. However, Venice also offers a variety of churches for those desiring a religious service, accommodating various faiths including Catholic, Orthodox (Greek, Russian, Armenian), Protestant, and Jewish traditions.
For larger weddings, involving a local wedding planner early is a smart move. They can help you manage all the details, from booking venues to coordinating makeup artists, florists, water taxis, and more. I’d be happy to recommend trusted planners who can bring your vision to life.
Since most people reading this are likely planning a destination wedding, here’s some useful information to help you with your Venice wedding plans:
The types of weddings that can be planned and arranged in Venice can roughly be divided into three broad categories:
Venice has a great variety of churches that cater to all religions and traditions, thanks to the international role that the Serenissima Republic played centuries ago. This includes Catholic, Protestant, Russian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Armenian, and more.
The civil ceremony is usually held in Palazzo Cavalli(Venice Town Hall), a beautiful location overlooking the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge. If you wish, it is also possible to arrange a civil ceremony in special locations.
To avoid the red tape involved in a formal celebration, you can arrange a symbolic wedding in Venice. This allows you to choose from various historical palaces and hotels to host the celebration, giving you flexibility and personalization.
Venice is a wonderful stage for the play of emotions that will see you as the protagonist. I feel my role is that of a storyteller who writes images with light—the photos will be a means to tell your story to family members yet to be born.
Many brides wonder about makeup artists and hairstylists in Venice. Whether you prefer a specific style or need someone who speaks your language, as a Venice wedding photographer, I can help you choose a makeup artist or an hair stylist in Venice that will make you look and feel at your best.
Capturing intimate weddings is more challenging than it might seem, as each assignment reflects the unique personalities of the couple. Throughout this article, I’ll touch on some of the most common parts of a wedding, regardless of its size or guest list.
This is when I prefer to start—when the makeup artist is completing the bride’s preparation. It gives me a chance to familiarize myself with the atmosphere and create the introductory images of your wedding story. Situations vary: some brides are surrounded by friends, family, and kids running everywhere; others have eloped and are alone, or perhaps the bride and groom help each other get ready.
This may be the second part of the introduction or just the introduction itself. The bride goes to the ceremony location: some walk, others take a water taxi. In any case, these images are rich with anticipation for what is about to happen. During this time, the curiosity and admiration of guests—and maybe even the groom—add a special touch to the wedding photos.
Civil ceremonies are quite consistent in duration; within 30 minutes, a new family is formed, and the couple exits as wife and husband. There’s even time for a picture on the balcony overlooking the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge.
My years as a wedding photographer in Venice have given me the opportunity to discover many off-the-beaten-path corners. I’ll be glad to suggest impressive yet uncrowded spots for your portraits. Typically, I’ll include a short but effective portrait session in most wedding packages. A gondola ride in this romantic city may be a lovely addition to your special day.
This can be done while guests are reaching the reception location or after a first toast. My approach is to use my experience to make the portrait session as quick as possible, allowing you to enjoy your time with your guests.
Each wedding is unique, so rather than presenting a standard package, I invite you to contact me so we can create a personalized offer based on the date of your wedding and a general idea of your plans for the day. A message is a good way to break the ice and plan for a call or chat:
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Regards
Luca
You may be also interested in the photo gallery honeymoon in Venice, there are some ideas about locations for the couple portraits we could do use during the wedding.