Wedding hotels

Borgo Santo Pietro 

Tuscany, Italy

Wow factor   Not only does this 13th-century Italian estate have beautifully tended grounds, astonishing views of the Valle Serena and romantic rooms, it has its own abbey. The romantic ruins of the San Galgano Abbey sit on a hillside – get married there, then process along an avenue of cypress trees back to the Borgo for a lavish champagne reception.

Need to know   Civil ceremonies can be held in the San Galgano Abbey or Siena's town hall; blessings can be performed at the pretty local Montesiepi church, a short drive away. All the paperwork can be taken care of locally within a week. Staff at Borgo Santo Pietro can arrange any detail to make your day perfect, whether you want a formal banquet for 35 or an alfresco buffet meal for 100 amid the Tuscan countryside. You'll have the run of the whole estate, so let your imagination run riot. They can also help with everything from wedding cakes and flowers to hiring a wedding planner. Events such as rehearsal dinners can also be arranged: barbecues by the infinity pool are a popular choice. This property lends itself to intimate, romantic weddings for people who love good food, great wine and glorious countryside.

Inspiration   Decadent San Pietro is the honeymoon suite: its private balcony is so vast you could hold a private cocktail reception on it. A hand-painted Indian-style marquee can be erected in the Lemon Garden, holding up to 100 guests; alternatively, take your alfresco buffet meal seated at linen-covered trestle tables dressed with silver candelabra.

Ca Maria Adele

Venice, Italy

Wow factor   Couples can make their entrance or exit in a romantic gondola via the Grand Canal.

Need to know   This is definitely a place for small, intimate weddings, as there's only room for a maximum of 24 guests.

Inspiration   The hotel has held two weddings, with great results. Special Ca Maria Adele touches have included obtaining rare flowers for bouquets and decorations. Gondolas can be arranged for the wedding couple and guests.

Capri Palace Hotel & Spa

Capri, Italy

Wow factor   The hotel's luxury yacht and motor boats, plus a helicopter service, provide an unforgettable way to get to or from the festivities.

Need to know   Intimate parties are very welcome at the hotel and on its roof terrace. Weddings of up to 130 guests are welcome during April, May and September; numbers are limited to 40 in the summer months.

Inspiration   An unforgettable location for a wedding is Capri Palace's roof terrace, with its spectacular views of the sea, the islands of the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.

Casa Angelina

Amalfi Coast, Italy

Wow factor   Exchange your wows on a windswept terrace with the breath-taking backdrop of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the rugged majesty of the Amalfi Coast.

Need to know   Book your wedding for the summer months so you can arrange a dinner on the terrace or beside the pool. Casa Angelina’s ever-obliging staff can take care of all arrangements, such as photography, food, and entertainment – even bridal beauty treatments.

Inspiration   Rent the hotel’s fleet of ‘Sea Gem’ boats and take your guests beach-hopping along the beautiful coast.

Castello di Vicarello

Tuscany, Italy

Wow factor   Delight your guests with a rustic Tuscan wedding banquet in the courtyard of a country castle.

Need to know   When booked in its entirety, Castello di Vicarello can accommodate 12 people – others can be housed in the region. The hotel can assist with all aspects of the ceremony and celebration, including flowers, photography and food. There’s a three-night minimum stay if you book the hotel as a whole.

Inspiration   The bridal party can sensuously soothe themselves in Vicarello’s spa, while the gentlemen hone their hunting skills in the hotel’s forested grounds. Or vice versa.

La Bandita

Tuscany, Italy

Wow factor   Wed on a hilltop under the Tuscan sun, with a patchwork panoramic of the beautiful Val D’Orcia stretching out below.

Need to know   La Bandita itself can house 16 guests, but can recommend and help arrange a number of other villas within 10 minutes’ drive so the whole wedding party can stay in the area. Photography, cake, flowers and other details of the ceremony and catering can all be arranged by La Bandita.

Inspiration   With its remote, secluded location in the hills of the Maremma and the beautiful sunsets over the valley, it would be heart to find a more romantic venue for an intimate ceremony among close friends and family.

La Coluccia

Sardinia, Italy

Wow factor   This romantic Sardinian getaway is set right on the beach and has pretty gardens and gorgeous views of the sea – all bathed in that beautiful soft Mediterranean light from dawn till dusk. It would make the perfect setting for a stylish, romantic and unstuffy wedding party with everyone you love.

Need to know   Up to 90 guests can be accomodated at the hotel and in the restaurant in low season; if you have more guests, La Coluccia will arrange nearby lodgings for them, and for big parties, marquees are a possibility. Entertainment before, during and after the big day can arranged, such as catamaran tours for all the guests, trips to visit the famous pink beach of Budelli island or offshore sailing to spot dolphins. Hair, make-up, decorations and every other detail can be taken care of for you, including booking a church and sorting out the relevant paperwork.

Inspiration   You could include some Sardinian traditions in your wedding; for example, after marrying, the bride and groom must share soup and honey from the same plate, to represent wealth and sweetness to come. After the reception, the happy couple can be whisked off by boat or helicopter to spend their wedding night on a secret island, and take breakfast in the sunshine the next morning on a beach in a secluded, hidden bay.

Palazzo Barbarigo

Venice, Italy