Late morning or afternoon ceremony, portraits by Rialto after
In brief
Ca' Farsetti and the neighbouring Ca' Loredan are two Veneto-Byzantine palazzi on the Grand Canal, between Rialto and San Luca, that together form the seat of Venice's City Council. The Comune offers two of their halls as exclusive civil wedding venues: the Sala degli Stucchi in Ca' Farsetti and the Sala del Consiglio in Ca' Loredan.
Best for couples who want a civil ceremony inside the city's historic town hall, with more exclusivity than the standard hall at Palazzo Cavalli next door.
Getting married at Ca' Farsetti and Ca' Loredan
Ca' Farsetti and Ca' Loredan stand side by side on the Grand Canal, between Rialto and San Luca. Together they are the seat of Venice's City Council. The Comune opens two of their halls for civil weddings and civil unions as exclusive venues: the Sala degli Stucchi in Ca' Farsetti and the Sala del Consiglio in Ca' Loredan.
Two of the oldest palazzi on the Grand Canal
Both buildings date back to the Veneto-Byzantine period, and their arcaded ground floors along the Riva del Carbon are among the oldest façades on the canal. Inside, the rooms reflect later centuries. The Sala degli Stucchi takes its name from its stucco decoration, while the Sala del Consiglio is the room where the City Council meets.
How it differs from Palazzo Cavalli
Palazzo Cavalli, a few doors away, is the Comune's standard wedding hall. Ca' Farsetti and Ca' Loredan are offered on top of it as more exclusive settings, with fewer available dates and an extra fee. The ceremony itself, the documents and the legal effect are the same.
Photographing a wedding at the Venice City Hall
Ceremonies here are formal and short. We focus on the signing, your families' reactions and the details of the historic rooms. Outside, the Riva del Carbon is a public walkway, so family photos work best on a landing stage or in a calle just behind the palazzi.
Portraits continue naturally towards the Rialto Bridge and along the Grand Canal. If you arrive or leave by gondola, the boat can pull up right in front of the building.
Fees and booking for Ca' Farsetti
Both halls cost a supplement on top of the standard ceremony fee. At the time of writing, the Comune lists €9,000 for the Sala degli Stucchi at Ca' Farsetti and €3,500 for the Sala del Consiglio at Ca' Loredan. Fees are set by the Comune di Venezia and change from time to time, so always check the official tariff page before you book.
Because these are council rooms, availability is limited. Ask the marriage office early, and keep Palazzo Cavalli as a second choice for your date. The paperwork is the same as for any civil wedding in Venice; see our civil wedding guide.
A day at Ca' Farsetti, step by step
- Getting ready in a hotel near Rialto or along the Grand Canal.
- Arrival by gondola at the landing stage on the Riva del Carbon.
- The ceremony in the Sala degli Stucchi or the Sala del Consiglio.
- Family photos on the landing stage and in the quieter calli behind.
- Portraits at the Rialto Bridge, a two-minute walk away.
- Reception at a palazzo or restaurant on the Grand Canal.
Ca' Farsetti through the seasons
The palazzi face the Grand Canal towards the north-west, so the afternoon and evening light falls on the facade and the landing stage. In summer, the Riva del Carbon is busy with visitors until late; in winter, it's calmer, and the evening light on the canal is soft and golden. During the Regata Storica, on the first Sunday of September, the canal is closed to normal traffic, which affects boat arrivals.
Who Ca' Farsetti suits
Couples who want a civil ceremony with a greater sense of occasion than the standard hall, in the building where the City Council still meets. It's especially suited to small and medium-sized groups who want an elegant, historic setting right on the Grand Canal, with the reception nearby.
Plan B for bad weather at Ca' Farsetti
The arcades of the ground floor along the Riva del Carbon offer shelter for family photos, and the covered fish market at Rialto is a few minutes away for portraits under its arches.
Planning tips for Ca' Farsetti & Ca' Loredan
- Ask the Comune's marriage office about availability early — exclusive halls have fewer slots.
- The waterfront outside is a public walkway; family photos work best on the landing stages or in a quieter calle behind.
- A gondola arrival on the Grand Canal is easy to arrange here.
- Keep Palazzo Cavalli as a backup hall for the same day.
Ca' Farsetti & Ca' Loredan: frequently asked questions
Can you get married at Ca' Farsetti?
Yes. The Comune offers the Sala degli Stucchi in Ca' Farsetti and the Sala del Consiglio in Ca' Loredan as exclusive civil wedding venues, for a supplement on top of the ceremony fee.
What is the difference between Ca' Farsetti and Palazzo Cavalli?
Palazzo Cavalli is the Comune's standard wedding hall. The Ca' Farsetti and Ca' Loredan halls are more exclusive council rooms with fewer dates and an extra fee; the legal ceremony is identical.
How much does the Sala degli Stucchi cost?
At the time of writing the Comune lists a €9,000 supplement for the Sala degli Stucchi and €3,500 for the Sala del Consiglio, on top of the standard ceremony fee.
Are civil unions celebrated at Ca' Farsetti?
Civil unions are celebrated in the Comune's halls under the same conditions as weddings; confirm the hall you want with the marriage office.
Booked through the Comune's marriage office as an exclusive venue
On the Grand Canal (Riva del Carbon), a short walk from Rialto
Stucco-decorated halls in two of the oldest palazzi on the Grand Canal
Busy waterfront outside; private halls inside
Civil wedding collection
Other locations
Let's turn your vision into timeless images
Tell us your date and vision — we'll handle the rest, and reply personally within one business day.
Now booking 2026–2027 · limited dates