Romance on the Water: Renew Your Vows in a Venetian Gondola This Summer

A once-in-a-lifetime experience to say “I still do” while gliding through the heart of Venice

Why Renew Your Vows in Venice?

There are few places in the world more romantic than Venice. And if you're planning to renew your vows, why not do it in a way that’s just as unforgettable as your love story?

Imagine you and your partner in a private gondola, drifting along the quiet canals, the soft sound of water lapping against the wood, with a gentle breeze carrying the scent of summer blooms. A local officiant—fluent in English—guides your renewal ceremony with warmth and intimacy. A professional photographer captures every magical moment as the golden light of Venice turns everything to poetry.

This isn’t just a ceremony. It’s a Venetian experience.

The Gondola Vow Renewal Experience

I’ve created a bespoke vow renewal package designed for couples seeking something intimate, stylish, and full of Italian charm.

Here’s what’s included:

• 🛶 Private Gondola Ride through the canals of Venice

• 📜 Ceremony led by an English-speaking officiant

• 📸 Professional photography to capture every moment

• 🥂 A bottle of Prosecco to toast your love

• 💌 Custom-designed Wedding Certificate

• 🎞️ Romantic portrait session in iconic Venetian locations

All for €850, fully customizable and handled with care and discretion.

Best Months for a Gondola Vow Renewal

While Venice is stunning year-round, the best time for a vow renewal ceremony on a gondola is during the late spring and summer months (May through September).

The light is at its most magical. The evenings are long. The city—though full of life—can still offer quiet moments on the water, especially early in the morning or around golden hour.

Tip: For the most cinematic light, I often suggest scheduling the ceremony during the early hours or sunset, when the light reflects off the buildings and ripples on the canal like liquid gold.

What to Wear & How to Prepare

There’s no dress code—but you’ll want to dress for your story. Some couples go all-in with wedding attire, others prefer something light and elegant. Venice is naturally photogenic, and you’ll look perfect just being yourselves.

Comfortable shoes are a must for post-ceremony portraits—especially if we explore a few secret spots for photos away from the crowds.

Booking & Availability

The vow renewal experience is available year-round, but demand rises sharply from May through September, especially around weekends and holidays. It’s best to book at least 4 weeks in advance to secure your preferred date and time.

You can check availability or get in touch via my website:

Whether it’s a surprise vow renewal or something you’ve been planning for months, we ’ll ensure every detail is cared for.

Perfect for Sharing

You’ll receive a full set of professionally edited images—ideal for printing, sharing on social media, or creating an anniversary album.

A Note on Legalities

This is a symbolic ceremony—perfect for vow renewals or non-legal weddings. No paperwork is required. Just show up and celebrate your love in one of the most iconic cities on Earth.

Let Venice Witness Your Love Story Again

Love grows, evolves, and deepens with time. Why not celebrate that with a moment just for the two of you?

Let’s make it unforgettable.
Let’s make it Venetian.

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Capture Timeless Portraits in Venice

Venice is more than just a city—it’s a masterpiece of light, history, and elegance. Whether you’re looking for a romantic couple’s portrait, a stylish solo session, or a family keepsake, our professional photography services offer the perfect way to capture your time in this enchanting city.

Why Choose a Portrait Session in Venice?

With its labyrinth of canals, historic bridges, and stunning architecture, Venice provides a backdrop like no other. Our portrait sessions are designed to make the most of the city’s timeless charm while ensuring you feel comfortable and at ease in front of the camera. Whether you prefer the quiet elegance of hidden alleyways, the grandeur of St. Mark’s Square, or the dreamy glow of the golden hour along the Grand Canal, we’ll craft a session that suits your vision.

Our Portrait Packages

We offer a range of flexible packages to suit your needs, from quick and spontaneous sessions to in-depth shoots that capture the true essence of your experience.

• Classic Venice Portrait (1 Hour) – Perfect for individuals, couples, or small groups who want a selection of professional portraits in some of the city’s most iconic locations.

• Signature Venice Portrait (2 Hours) – A more immersive experience allowing for multiple locations, outfit changes, and a wider variety of shots.

• Exclusive Gondola Portrait Experience – A truly Venetian experience, combining the romance of a private gondola ride with stunning portrait photography.

• Custom Sessions – Tailored to your specific needs, whether it’s a surprise proposal, an engagement shoot, or a personal branding session.

What’s Included?

All of our portrait sessions include: ✔ Professional photography by an experienced local photographer ✔ A carefully curated selection of high-resolution, edited images ✔ Guidance on the best locations and posing tips to make you look your best ✔ Optional add-ons such as priority delivery, extra retouching, or black-and-white conversions

Book Your Portrait Session

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply want to remember your time in Venice with beautiful, professional portraits, we are here to create unforgettable images that will last a lifetime. Contact us today to check availability and start planning your session.

We look forward to capturing your Venetian story!

Crossing Venice Grand Canal by Gondola

Crossing the Venice Grand Canal by Gondola is a very interesting experience. Do not miss it Discover the real Venice with one of our photo walk tour . Video by Simone Padovani

The word "traghetto" means "ferry." In Venice, it describes a large gondola rowed by two oarsmen.

Half a dozen traghetto lines cross the Grand Canal, and most of them have been operated by the same families for generations.

How to ride a traghetto:

As you're walking around Venice, look for yellow or white "Traghetto" signs, or find traghetto routes on your map.

Follow the signs down to the water, where you'll find a wooden boat pier.

Board the traghetto and hand €2,-- to an oarsman. (If you don't have exact change, use a small banknote.)

Find a place to sit. (Venetians traditionally stand during the crossing, but sitting is safer if you aren't used to bobbing boats.)

When the boat arrives on the other side of the Grand Canal, exit promptly.

Two of the most reliable are:

Pescaria (Rialto fish market) - Santa Sofia (near Ca' d'Oro):

San Tomà - Sant'Angelo:

Note: Traghetti operate during daylight hours only, often with a break for lunch. There are no official timetables: The boats travel back and forth almost continuously, taking two or three minutes to cross the Grand Canal.

20 Great Things to do in Venice 1/20 - Gondola

So obvious. No trip to Venice would be complete without a punt down one of the city's picturesque canals in a traditional gondola. The Istituzione per la Conservazione della Gondola e Tutela del Gondoliere (Gondola Board; 041 528 5075, www.gondolavenezia.it) website has recommended itineraries. Prices below are for the hire of the gondola, for six passengers or less. You do not need to book a Gondola (in general will be much more expensive!!)

8am-7pm €80 for 30mins; €40 for each additional 15mins. 7pm-8am €100 for 40mins; €50 for each additional 15mins.

Photo By: Marco Secchi

Forcola

To create a fórcola, the oarlock of the gondoliers, the artisans start from trunk quarters (walnut, cherry, pear, apple, maple).

A forcola is the result of manual skills and and vision, where touch play a key role. Every bend, every elbow must allow the numerous and different movements of the oar in the water

A Forcola ( Photo by Simone Padovani)

20 Great Things to do in Venice 11/20 – Buy a Gondola!

Ok not a real Gondola but the best thing after that. Alberto Penzo in his wonderful shop  at S Polo 2681 sells amazing Venetians boats reproductions, not the tacky plastic ones you see walking around, we are talking about real gondolas!The Venetian lagoon has a well-established ship-building tradition. Couple that with an intense passion for boat making and you have a stunning collection of gondola model boat kits constantly in production and on sale.

Gilberto Penzo, born in Chioggia in 1954 from a family of craftsmen and shipbuilders, lives in Venice where for many years he has been conducting a vast research, gathering and organizing information about traditional Venetian boats. Explanations and direct examples of the last remaining gondola builders (squerariòi), surveys of ancient templates and patterns, and - in ideal cases - the direct measurement of intact boats, are the sources which allow the author to reconstruct their forms and the construction methods used. These have given rise to a series of books, construction plans, models for museums and private collections, restorations ans reconstructions of boats.With a group of friends who share the same interest, he founded the association Arzanà in 1992 which specializes in the study and conservation of historical Venetian boats.

If you are not coming to Venice soon you can get them here

...on Venetians Gondoliers and why I decided not to work with them.....

Gondola rides are a must for every tourist visiting Venice. However, there are two main guidelines that one should keep in mind: if you find it too expensive, don’t go through with it, and if you think the price isn’t too steep, make sure you understood what the gondolier said!Venice has official rates for gondola rides, and the standard cost per boat not per person is €80 for a 40-minute ride. Exceeding that time will merit €40 per 20 minutes. At night, especially after 7pm, prices can reach €100 for 40 minutes. A gondola can carry up to six people.

These are the official prices.....and I am pretty sure there are honest gondoliers...that do apply them. Unfortunately more often then not the average requested price is around €100/120 the time is much short...even just 20/25 minutes. There have been recent cases, where Tourist have been charged €400!!! It is simple a case of reading local and national press...to find out

Why I have decided not to work with them.....

If I board on a Gondola I classify as a Professional Photographer and I or my clients are charged a minimum of €120 to €150 for 30 minutes, this is based on the assumption that this is a Special Service and that I as a photographer will charge my clients much  more simply  due to the fact I am taking pictures on a Gondola!!  This is absolutely bollocks....as a photographer I do not charge my clients based on where they want their picture taken but on my time and number of images... to me it does not make any difference if they choose for they background a wall of bricks....A factory...a bridge or a Gondola!! if you try to explain this to a gondolier (most of them being really rude and arrogant) you will end up being insulted!

As I was saying above ...and I know it is wrong to generalize, most of them are absolutely pure 100% rude.... I had cases of clients insulted or treated in a very arrogant way. They truly believe they rule Venice and nobody is as good as them...despite that most of them make their good money in Venice..pretend they love this city.....but then  live on the mainland!!!

For the above reasons I have decided not to be part of this scam, I do not want to be robbed or my clients be cheated....and rather be working with a nice Sandalo!  I will inform of my decision the President of Associazione Gondolieri and him or any Gondolier is more than welcome to reply and contradict me!

The above stock image shows the difference between a Sandalo and a Gondola

Anita and Jade, portraits in Venice

A really beautiful and amazingly friendly couple from Down Under and visiting Venice@

Deborah and Andrea Pictures in Venice

Deborah and Andrea visit to Venice and portraits session

St. Mark's Basin and the Gondolier

The Mascareta

The mascareta is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian Lagoon. For centuries gondolas were the chief means of transportation and most common water craft within Venice. In modern times the iconic boats still have a role in public transport in the city, serving as traghetti (ferries) over the Grand Canal. They are also used in special regattas (rowing races) held amongst gondoliers. It is similar to punting, except it uses an oar to propel it instead of a pole.

How does Venice work?

Venice, Italy, "stretching across 117 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy," may be one of the most amazing places in the world to live. Fans of Donna Leon's fictional detective Guido Brunetti come to know it as a land of good food, water taxis and alleys that dead-end at the water.Having said that Venice is not just a stage set. It is also a city with a resident population, which has productive activities, transportation and services. But how does the “Venice system” work? How do the tides in the lagoon behave? How are the canals formed? And the embankments? What’s under the buildings?

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=21688538&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=1&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0

Venice Backstage. How does Venice work? from Insula spa on Vimeo.

Old wood

If gondolas are the most famous boat in Venice, they are not the only one. All kind of crafts go tirelessly all over town. A large part of them are made out of modern materials, but many old and classical wooden hulls are still in use.

Related articles

• The peaceful pleasures of Venice in winter (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Venice in Winter (travel.nytimes.com)