Villa Cetinale, Photography: Angelika Dupuis
Chateau Gassies, Photography: Anaïs Mr. Photography
There’s something undeniably special about a garden wedding in Europe, the kind where centuries-old trees, sculpted hedges, and ancient backdrops do most of the decoration for you. Across the continent, villas, châteaux, and countryside estates offer outdoor settings that feel straight out of a movie, each shaped by its own landscape and local character. From formal Italian gardens and vineyard-lined terraces, these venues invite weddings that celebrate nature at its most beautiful form. Here, we highlight the twelve garden wedding venues we can’t stop thinking about—each one an exceptional setting for a destination celebration.
Villa Cetinale, Photography: Divine Day
Villa Cetinale, Photography: The Ferros
Villa Cetinale
Just west of Siena, Villa Cetinale feels like a Tuscan dream, complete with formal Italian gardens, manicured avenues of cypress, and a Baroque façade that creates a cinematic backdrop for a wedding weekend filled with romance. Dating from the 17th century, this estate has gardens that invite wandering and closeness alike and offers an iconic aisle set amid manicured lawns and historic sculptures. The opportunity to take over the entire property transforms your celebration into an immersive Tuscan escape, surrounded by olive groves, a chapel, and a stunning interior space as well.
Villa Cetinale, Photography: The Ferros
Villa Cetinale
Château Gassies
Perched above Bordeaux, France with sweeping views to the Garonne, Château Gassies blends classic French romance with elegant estate charm. With stunning manicured lawns, graceful terraces for sunset cocktails, and a reception hall with original stone walls and crystal chandeliers, its 14 hectares of gardens offer countless photo moments and areas to celebrate. The château accommodates up to about 150 guests for ceremonies and receptions, and around 43 guests overnight across suites and gîtes, making it ideal for a weekend celebration that feels like a private retreat.
Chateau Gassies, Photography: Sophia Noelle
Chateau Gassies, Photography: Katalin Otter
La Foce
Overlooking the Val d’Orcia landscape, La Foce is arguably one of the most popular Tuscan venues. Its formal gardens, designed in the early 20th century, are among the region’s most photographed, with perfectly cut hedges, architectural lines, and panoramic horizons that only add to the sweeping Italian views. The estate accommodates celebrations of various sizes and invites couples to weave festivities through terraces, shaded pergolas, and rolling lawns.
La Foce, Photography: Elisabetta Marzetti
La Foce, Photography: Haute Weddings
Villa Balbiano
Set on the shores of Lake Como, Villa Balbiano is an iconic vision of Italian opulence and has hosted countless celebrity weddings. With terraced gardens that step gracefully down to the shores of the water, the historic villa and its manicured grounds balance elegant architecture with serene lake views. With a capacity of around 200 guests, it’s ideal for couples who want a large lakeside celebration with a wow-factor.
Villa Balbiano, Photography: Vlasta Weddings
Villa Balbiano, Photography: Jose Villa
Chateau de Challain
A fairy-tale castle punctuating the Loire region in France, Chateau de Challain’s gardens and sweeping lawns are tailor-made for celebrations that feel like a fairytale. With garden pathways, reflective water features, and stately facades, ceremonies and receptions here feel like chapters in a classic romance. For the dreamiest wedding in the French countryside, Chateau de Challain brings together historic character and the natural beauty of its grounds in ways that elevate every moment.
Chateau de Challain, Photography: Janis Ratnieks
Chateau de Challain, Photography: Frenk Yohanes
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
On the glittering French Riviera, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is a jewel among coastal gardens. With nine themed gardens and stunning sea views, this pink villa has become the emblem of the Côte d'Azur. While reception details and capacities vary by event style and location on the property, the South of France setting overlooking the Mediterranean transforms weddings into carefully curated garden-to-sea experiences.
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, My Wedding French Riviera, Photography: Patten Gale
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Photography: Greg Finck
Château de Sannes
In the golden hills of Provence, France, Château de Sannes is a historic Provençal estate where vineyards and manicured French gardens frame every celebration. With origins dating back to the early 1600s, the domaine offers multiple outdoor settings that create natural, romantic spaces for ceremonies and receptions. On-site accommodation for wedding parties is available across several historic buildings, making it an inviting option for multi-day celebrations steeped in Provençal charm and gastronomy.
Château de Sannes, Photography: La Dichosa
Château de Sannes, Photography: Céline Chhuon
Schloss Leopoldskron
Though perhaps best known as an iconic palace near Mozart’s hometown or its feature in The Sound of Music, Schloss Leopoldskron’s lakeside gardens and baroque backdrop are equally compelling for weddings. Located in Salzburg, Austria, this venue offers historic charm, winding paths, and distant views of the Eastern Alps. Its views across the water provide sweeping spaces for ceremonies and receptions alike, accommodating medium-to-large gatherings within its private parkland.
Schloss Leopoldskron, Photography: Richard Schabetsberger
Schloss Leopoldskron
Castell de Sant Marçal
Just outside Barcelona, Spain, Castell de Sant Marçal is a neo-Gothic castle surrounded by manicured gardens and romantic courtyards. Known as one of the region’s most versatile large-scale garden venues, the property pairs historic architecture with polished event infrastructure, allowing weddings to take place across multiple outdoor and indoor spaces. Its standout feature is the combination of castle drama and landscaped grounds, bringing a sense of grandeur and drama to your wedding.
Castell de Sant Marçal, Photography: Robert Marcillas
Castell de Sant Marçal, Photography: Robert Marcillas
Isola del Garda
Set on a private island on Lake Garda, Italy, Isola del Garda offers a rare combination of waterfront views and lush greenery. The Venetian-style villa is surrounded by layered gardens, palm trees, terraces, and rare plant collections that cascade toward the lake. For an even dreamier celebration, arrivals by boat will add an element of exclusivity, turning this full island setting into a true destination experience.
Isola del Garda, Photography: Phina Fotographie
Isola del Garda, Photography: Rossini Photography
Airelles Gordes
In the hilltop village of Gordes in Provence, France, Airelles Gordes blends formal gardens and terraces with one of the most iconic panoramas. The grounds step down the hillside with stone facades, fountains, and Mediterranean gardens that glow at golden hour. Its defining appeal is the vantage point: a Provençal garden setting suspended above a storybook landscape.
Airelles Gordes, Photography: Urska and Domen
Airelles Gordes
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc
One of southern France's most iconic hotels, Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, is known for its coastal gardens and exceptional sea views. The property offers multiple outdoor ceremony and reception settings, from manicured gardens to waterfront platforms, and is a venue long associated with cinema, fashion, and high society that come with unbeatable Riviera vibes. Depending on the configuration, it can host up to around 250 guests for large celebrations.
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Photography: Jose Villa
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Photography: David Bastianoni
Belmond Villa San Michele
Belmond Villa San Michele is perched in the hills above Florence, Italy, offering unbeatable views of the Tuscan city and countryside. Once a monastery, the property features cloistered courtyards and cypress-lined lawns that are the perfect place to host outdoor ceremonies and receptions. Multiple terraces allow events to unfold in stages and distinct areas of the property—all with the Florence skyline as your dramatic backdrop.
Belmond Villa San Michele
Belmond Villa San Michele
Château de Villette
Located near Paris in Condécourt, France, Château de Villette is a grand classical estate often called a “Petit Versailles” for its formal gardens and symmetry. Designed with André Le Nôtre–influenced landscaping, the grounds feature long canals, geometric patterns, and sculpturally shaped shrubs. For the couple drawn to formal French gardens, you'll feel like royalty in this venue that is perfect for large-scale events.
Château de Villette, Photography: Julia Kaptelova
Château de Villette, Photography: Abby Jiu
Château du Grand-Lucé
In the Loire Valley town of Grand-Lucé, France, this 18th-century château is surrounded by landscaped parkland and elegant garden terraces. At the Château du Grand-Lucé, you'll find aristocratic architecture with inviting outdoor entertaining spaces. Weddings here often take place in the gravel courtyards, tree-lined lawns, and geometrically manicured gardens, with on-site accommodation supporting multi-day weddings.
Château du Grand-Lucé, Photography: Catherine Nemani
Château du Grand-Lucé, Photography: Alyssa Belkaci
