Best Wedding Venues in Italy

Lake Como views, terraced gardens, private dock

There are plenty of beautiful villas on Lake Como, but the crème de la crème is Villa del Balbianello. Built in the late 1700s for Cardinal Durini, a scholar and patron of the arts, the villa has hosted literary greats, scholars, and travelers. It is currently managed by the Fondo Ambiente Italiano (FAI), an organization dedicated to preserving historic estates and gardens throughout Italy. Perched on a wooded promontory, the villa boasts a spectacular setting, elegant architecture, and gorgeous gardens. The only way to reach it is by boat, which makes for an especially magical arrival. Renting it out for a wedding reception doesn’t come cheap, but couples with a maximum of 50 guests willing to have their celebration while the villa is open to the public can save a bit on the rental fee. 

Vineyard, Michelin-starred chef, nine rooms, outdoor swimming pool, 18th-century wine cellar

The Langhe Hills in Piedmont are home to vineyards that produce some of Italy’s most prized wines. In this bucolic setting you’ll find Palás Cerequio, an intimate nine-room resort overlooking a vineyard that provides a dreamy backdrop for a wedding amid the vines. The sleek, modern resort is built on top of an 18th-century wine cellar with over 6,000 bottles and the expert sommelier will happily help couples choose the right wines for their reception as well as lead guests in tastings. The area is ripe for exploration, with plenty of prestigious wineries to visit, truffle hunting excursions, and charming cities like Alba and Turin to explore.

Lemon garden, Italian garden, multiple dining rooms and halls, changing room for the bridal party

Owned by the American Academy in Rome, this opulent 17th-century villa is set on Janiculum Hill high above the city, offering gorgeous views. There are a number of spaces available, including the beautiful lemon garden, Italian garden, a large hall, galleria, music room, and dining room that can seat up to 200 guests. The villa only hosts one event per day and the fee ranges depending on the areas you plan to use. The other areas won’t be set up, but they will remain open for guests who want to explore. The villa’s staff can recommend caterers and other vendors, but they don’t have exclusive agreements, so you can work with any vendors of your choosing.

Infinity terrace with sea views, gorgeous gardens, hotel with 19 rooms, private helipad, beauty service, babysitting, filming and photography, security service, interpreter

If you’ve seen photos on Instagram of a long table set up on a terrace adorned by busts overlooking the sea, that was the Infinity terrace of Villa Cimbrone. Once the private home of the English Lord Grimthorpe, the villa occupies a prime position on a cliff in Ravello on the Amalfi Coast. It’s now home to a luxurious 19-room hotel filled with antiques and frescoes, but it’s the gardens blooming with roses that are the true showstopping attraction. Guests can stay on the property or at one of the glamorous hotels on the Amalfi Coast, like Le Sirenuse in Positano.

Regal entrance hall, ballroom overlooking the Grand Canal, small garden, two restaurants, two classic boats

Imagine arriving at your wedding venue by gondola—or better yet, speedboat. That’s one of the perks of hosting your wedding in Venice. For deep-pocketed couples who want to go all out, Aman Venice will make you feel like royalty. Housed in the 16th-century Palazzo Papadoli, the seven-star hotel features opulent interiors with plenty of stunning backdrops for your photos, from the ballroom overlooking the Grand Canal to the salon with its grand piano. Be sure to book the Tiepolo suite, which features original ceiling frescoes by the Renaissance master, to celebrate your wedding night.

Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant, extensive gardens, pond, hotel rooms in a 12th-century villa, standalone villas with private pools, spa, cooking school

This sprawling estate in the Tuscan countryside is the perfect place for a rustic yet elegant wedding, with an 800-year-old villa, standalone villas offering more space for the bridal party, two restaurants (one of which has a Michelin star), a spa that uses the resort’s own Seed to Skin skincare line, and extensive gardens. The property can host ceremonies in the gardens, under a cupola overlooking the Tuscan hills and valleys, or on the island in the middle of a lake. There is a minimum two-night stay for weddings with more than 20 people, but if your guests will be traveling from abroad, they’ll probably want to stay at least that long anyway—and there’s plenty to keep them entertained, from cooking classes to picnics by the stream and spa treatments.

Organic vegetable garden, three rooms in the main farmhouse and one standalone cottage, swimming pool

At this organic farmhouse, guests are invited to immerse themselves in nature and a slower, simpler way of life. Mariangela, who runs the farmhouse with her husband Giulio, cooks vegetarian feasts using the fresh veggies and herbs from her organic garden and sources cheeses, beer, wine, and other ingredients from local producers. She loves to cook family recipes and decorate with her family’s plates, glasses, silverware, and handmade baskets and vases full of wildflowers. The farmhouse has three rooms and there’s a standalone cottage, so the bridal party can stay right on the property and enjoy Mariangela’s homemade cakes and pastries for breakfast. 

On-site accommodations, chapel, gardens, courtyard

Sicily’s coast used to be full of tonnaras (i.e. tuna processing facilities). Many have been abandoned, but the one in Scopello has been converted into an open-air museum and event venue directly on the sea. The weathered walls and Mediterranean garden evoke centuries past, when the area was a humble fishing village. Couples renting the tonnara have the utmost freedom to choose their vendors, including the caterer, florist, and DJ, and can supply their own alcohol. The location is ideal for summer weddings, when guests can explore Palermo, the nearby beaches, and the Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro, Sicily’s first nature reserve.