How to Elope in Venice, Italy | Destination Elopement Photographer | Venice Elopement Guide

When it comes to romantic elopement destinations, Venice, Italy is a no brainer. This iconic floating city is known for its winding canals, atmospheric streets, and beautiful architecture. It’s got a charm that you just can’t find anywhere else! Eloping here could includes lots of different things, but imagine this: a slow morning having coffee and breakfast on your balcony, getting dressed up in a beautiful historic hotel, sharing your vows privately overlooking the canals, taking your dream wedding photos along the picturesque streets and bridges, and then ending your evening with a romantic sunset boat ride and your favorite Italian food!

If that’s the type of experience you’re looking for, then this blog is where you can find all the info you need to get your planning process started.

Can you legally get married in Italy?

If you’re considering a Venice elopement, you might be curious if you can actually get married legally in Italy as a foreigner. The short answer to this question is yes you can! However, it will require a bit of extra steps and things to consider - like getting all your documents translated to Italian and submitted a few months in advance, possibly hiring an interpreter for your ceremony, making an in person visit to the town hall in Italy, etc. If you’re planning your elopement well in advance and would like to legally get married on your trip to Italy, you can read about all the requirements here.

If you prefer not to deal with all the legal stuff and want more flexibility with your plans, I recommend taking care of the paperwork at home and having a symbolic ceremony for your elopement day! Many of my eloping clients do this even if they aren’t traveling internationally for their elopement.

Can LGBTQ+ couples get legally married in Italy?

Sadly, same-sex marriage is not yet legal in Italy. Hopefully this changes soon, but for now, a symbolic elopement ceremony is the only option for LGBTQ+ couples.

Getting to and around Venice

Venice is a city of small islands off the coast of Italy with only a single land bridge connecting it to the mainland. This bridge ends at Piazzale Roma, which is a large square that serves as a transport hub — here you’ll find ferry stops, a bus station, and car parks, but you cannot drive further into the city than this. The Piazzale Roma is pretty far from the city’s main attractions, so for most folks it’s better to skip road travel in general.

If you’re flying in to Venice, the closest airport is the Marco Polo International Airport and from here, the most convenient mode of transportation is via water using the public water bus system, a water taxi, or private boat transfer.

Alilaguna is the airport’s water bus (vaporetto) service and what I recommend for water travel to Venice. These water buses run directly from the airport along fixed routes to different piers throughout Venice and the other nearby islands. You can book your tickets at the airport or online in advance. Online you can pay for your tickets (roundtrip) and any bags you’re bringing, then when you get to the water terminal at the airport, you will need to go to the ticket office to scan your online voucher and get physical boarding passes. Save your ticket during your trip because you’ll use it again for your return journey. To book your tickets, you don’t have to know your exact times of travel, but you do need to know which route/line you will be taking - your hotel or airbnb should provide this info and let you know which pier is closest for drop off.

The Alilaguna water buses are public transportation so that means you will be riding with many other passengers (the inside of the boats are lined with rows of seats just like a regular bus). If you prefer a more private ride, you can also book a water taxi or private boat transfer, both of which will be at a much higher price point. Water taxis are also available right at the airport water terminal but to book a private boat company, you will likely need to do so in advance.

Getting around Venice during your stay

Again, Venice is not a drivable city, so once you’ve made it to your hotel/accomodation you will have to walk everywhere or use water transportation. Walking is the easiest and cheapest way to get around, so I highly recommend staying somewhere central to the main sites you want to see. If you do want to venture to other areas, you have 3 options for water transport.

ACTV: Venice’s public water bus service has over 2 dozen routes that connect all main points of interest in the 6 neighborhoods of Venice and the other islands of the Lagoon.

There can be an additional fee for purchasing tickets onboard so it’s better to buy your ticket in advance and validate it at the machine next to the stop.
You can buy single tickets that are valid for 75 minutes or 24 hour passes for 1, 2, 3, or 7 days.
Pricing ranges from about $10 for a single ticket up to $70 for a week pass.
To learn which stops to get on/off check the timetables online here. You can also download the app and use that.
ACTV stops will be at docks/piers along the canals and there will be signs with the name of the stop on it. (Usually relating to the neighborhood or point of interest it is located near eg. S. Angelo or Rialto.)

Water taxis: Just like a land taxi, but on water, these boats are typically smaller than the public water buses and they are usually more expensive. These have no fixed route - you just tell them your destination and they will drop you off at the nearest port. To get a water taxi look for a pier with a yellow sign that says TAXI.

Private boat: If you want to do a boat ride simply to have a luxury experience, you can rent a private boat and do a tour around the canals of Venice. This is something I highly recommend even if you’re not eloping in Venice, but it is an especially amazing experience to add to your trip if it’s for a special occasion. Blitz Exclusive is a company I’ve worked with before and they are wonderful! Definitely plan to book ahead.

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Best time to elope in Venice

The best seasons to consider for your elopement in Venice are Spring and Fall, when the weather is milder and crowds are fewer. Summers can be especially hot and crowded so if this season is on your radar, opt for earlier in the summer and planning your day around sunrise. In general, sunrise will be the quietest time of day in Venice so no matter when you elope, it’s advantageous to plan your photos early in the morning. Other times to avoid are Carnival season in February and Easter Holiday.

For couples working with me, I have other tips to help avoid crowds and how to plan your experience to be a stress free as possible!

Best elopement locations in Venice

Part of the beauty of eloping in Venice lies in its endless options for picturesque locations! The city is full of colorful buildings with interesting texture, unique bridges crossing winding canals, charming streets, historical landmarks, and even gardens bursting with plant life. When planning your Venice elopement, there are three different locations to consider:

Your accommodation: This is where you will be getting ready and where the story of your elopement day begins. I always recommend coverage during this time because you will be in a private, more relaxed space, and the environment is more controlled so you don’t have to worry about crowds or the weather. These photos will showcase the excitement of preparing for the main events of the day and all of the details you’ve planned so intentionally. Splurging on a spacious, beautifully decorated room will not only enhance your photos but it will add to your overall experience - this shouldn’t feel like any other day of getting ready to go to work! Look for extra amenities that can be a benefit to your plans, like a balcony or rooftop terrace overlooking the canals, where you can take some extra portraits, share a private meal, or even use for your ceremony.

Your ceremony location: For the time you’re exchanging vows, you will want to find a quieter spot that feels a little more intimate than what the city’s main attractions offer. Your accommodation can potentially work for your ceremony location (if permitted), or you can book a private venue space, or choose a pretty spot in the city away from the crowds. For my couples, I personally scout ceremony options near where they’re staying as well as provide a list of locations I’ve already found and love.

Your photo locations: While not ideal for your ceremony, many of the city’s historical sites and attractions make beautiful backdrops for photos and I think having some iconic Venice shots in your gallery is an absolute must. These location options range from the well known St. Mark’s Square to the many popular bridges and piers along the canals.

All of this is to say, that to get the full Venice elopement experience, you shouldn’t get too hung up on finding one specific spot. Instead, create a mix of locations that include private spaces, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems that showcase the full magic of this beautiful, historic city. I recommend working with your photographer to curate a selection of location options that fit your vision! As I mentioned before, I provide personalized assistance with this by sharing all the locations I’ve already scouted and photographed (many of which are featured in this blog!) in addition to finding new hidden spots.

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Where to stay for your Venice elopement

For your first time in Venice, I recommend staying in the San Marco neighborhood, where most of the main attractions are located. Since you will be walking everywhere, it makes a big difference being as close as possible to everything. The next best option I’d recommend is the San Polo neighborhood, which is across the Grand Canal from San Marco. This neighborhood is central, close to the Rialto Bridge (one of the most iconic sites), and has a lot of really great restaurants. If you’re interested in a less touristy place, the neighborhood of Cannaregio is one of the more authentic areas with cheaper accommodation options, but you will have to walk further to get to the main attractions.

For your elopement, it’s good to keep these locations in mind, however a great hotel or airbnb may be worth extra travel if it’s not exactly in the central locations. Below are a list of places to consider:

AMAN Venice: One of the most notable luxury hotels in Venice, located right on the Grand Canal. The AMAN offers a stunning collection of rooms and suites in addition to select spaces available to rent for private events such as ceremonies or dinners.

Hotel Cipriani: Luxury hotel with spacious rooms and incredible canal views. The interiors feature a blend of modern elegance and Venetian flair. (Note that they close for the winter season and open at the end of May.)

Ca'di Dio: A small luxury hotel with a historic charm. The rooftop terrace suite would be an excellent choice for your stay. Plus, there are outdoor gardens that could potentially be used for photos.

Hotel Danieli: A 5 star historic hotel a very Venetian style of decor. I recommend a room with a balcony!

The St. Regis Venice: A 5-star Marriott hotel along the Grand Canal overlooking iconic Venetian landmarks. These rooms are more on the modern side, but they’re very spacious and have options with private terraces and balconies with views of the canal.

In addition to hotels, there are lots of Airbnb options at different price points throughout the city. If you do opt for an Airbnb I’d prioritize a central location since you won’t have the extra amenities you get with a hotel.

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Things to do on your elopement day in Venice

Part of the fun of an elopement is that beyond saying your vows and taking portraits, you have a chance to plan out an entire day that feels special from beginning to end. This doesn’t mean the whole day has to be nonstop activities or a full day photoshoot, though. It just means being intentional about how you want to spend your time together, whether that includes more time for relaxing or squeezing in as much fun as possible.

Below are some ideas for what to do on your elopement day in Venice:

walk to a local coffee shop or bakery for breakfast
watch the sunrise from your balcony or one of the bridges crossing the Grand Canal
have a professional hair and makeup artist come to your hotel and enjoy getting pampered while listening to your favorite tunes
take a gondola ride through the inner canals
explore the streets of Venice and stop for gelato
hang out on your balcony in the morning and write your vows in a special vow book
book a private boat tour and take photos on the water at sunset (this is a great way to get sunset photos without having to worry about crowds)
hire a private chef to prepare a delicious post-elopement meal
book a fancy dinner at a local restaurant
read letters from friends and family as you soak up the last of the sunset

Another idea is to spread your elopement activities out over 2 or 3 days. This allows you to have some flexibility with your plans and plan your photos around the best lighting of the day. For example, you can plan a sunrise photoshoot around the popular spots in the city one day, then have a slow morning the next day before spending time exploring hidden gems and doing a sunset boat tour. There are so many possibilities for customizing your experience to be the best fit for you!

Why hire me to photograph your elopement in Venice?

As a destination elopement photographer, it’s my job to travel around the world and document couples in beautiful places! When you hire me, you’re not just getting me during the time we’re taking photos on the day of your elopement - I’m here to support you throughout the entire process. From brainstorming ideas together to picking your locations, navigating travel logistics, and finalizing details, I’m here for you every step of the way. Planning an elopement is a little different than planning a traditional wedding, so having someone who specializes in planning and capturing these types of experiences is especially helpful!

You can be assured that by the time it comes to step in front of my camera, we’ll have established a sense of trust and comfort through working together. I’ll guide you in a way that feels natural and capture photos that showcase your love and highlight the beauty of your destination.

FAQ: Can you legally work in Italy?

Yes! I’ve consulted the Italian embassy about legally working here and always ensure that I am following all criteria to do so.