Wedding Venues in Ticino | Beyond Weddings

The region of Ticino, set at the foot of the Swiss Alps and bordered by the waters of Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano, benefits from a mild Mediterranean climate, picturesque mountains and charming villages.

Just an hour from Lake Como, and two hours from Milan, the Italian influences are obvious, particularly in the cuisine. However, you still get the added elegance and efficiency you’d associate with Switzerland.

In terms of weddings, it is truly a hidden gem. Think vineyards, historic castles, luxury hotels and lakefront venues, with deep lakes and towering tree-covered mountains as a stunning backdrop. It’s an excellent destination for couples seeking romance, natural beauty, and sophistication.

We’ve not just focused on luxury wedding venues in Ticino. Instead, we’ve included a range of options that will appeal to both couples and to creative wedding planners. Unlike nearby Lake Como, where almost every lakeside villa has been adapted to maximise wedding bookings, the Ticino region of Switzerland feels like a bit of a secret, and as such, remains relatively unexploited.

We started our venue discovery tour in Ascona, the jewel of Lake Maggiore. It’s a pretty lakeside town with a tree-lined promenade, colourful houses, pavement cafés and winding alleys leading to the church of San Pietro e Paolo. It’s a great place to start exploring wedding venues in Ticino, especially those around Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano.

For consistency, we have converted current prices from Swiss francs to Euros using the exchange rate relevant at the time (October 2024).

Boutique hotel venues

Hotel Villa Emden, Brissago Islands

A short boat ride on Lake Maggiore took us from Ascona’s promenade to the Brissago Islands, where our first venue, Hotel Villa Emden, peeked out above the treetops. Hotel Villa Edmen is the neoclassical villa that dominates the larger of the two Brissago Islands.

It’s located within the island’s 2.5-acre botanical garden, which houses a collection of subtropical flora that thrive in the region’s mild climate. As a result, it offers a unique setting for a wedding, accessible only by boat.

Event Spaces and Services:

Verana Ascona and Sala Camino: Indoor dining halls with classical architectural elements, including marbled floors and fireplaces, plus views of Lake Maggiore. Maximum capacity: 120 guests.
Veranda Brissago: An elevated veranda providing a 360-degree panoramic view of Lake Maggiore.
Outdoor options: Numerous picturesque outdoor options, including the historic ruins of Roman baths, a eucalyptus meadow and a large grassy lawn close to the water’s edge, with views across the lake towards the sunset.
Onsite accommodation: The villa provides 10 double rooms, renovated with contemporary design.
Full venue buy-out: Available for private events.
Partial exclusive use: Designated outdoor botanical garden areas and parts of the villa are available for smaller gatherings.
Music: It’s a private island without neighbours, so you can have music until midnight, or until 2am at weekends.

The Isola de Brissago is such an idyllic spot for a summer wedding, with exceptional gardens to explore and a beautiful villa with elegant reception rooms. It’s a popular visitor attraction, over and above being an events venue, with regular ferries taking to and from the island, so there are various restrictions to consider during opening hours.

— Alison Hargreaves

Giardino Lago, Minusio

Giardino Lago is a charming lakeside boutique hotel; a modern villa with Mediterranean flair. It’s a fantastic option for a small wedding and one of the more intimate weddings in Ticino, offering versatile spaces and a tranquil atmosphere overlooking the lake.

Event Spaces and Services:

Air-Conditioned Indoor Space: A modern interior with bold décor provides a comfortable setting for up to 90 guests, with the restaurant space flowing seamlessly onto the terrace.
Panoramic Terrace: A beautiful space for ceremonies and relaxed open-air cocktail receptions, accommodating up to 120 guests, or up to 84 on long tables.
Roof Lounge: A unique feature with elevated panoramic views of the lake and mountains, perfect for sunset ceremonies or cocktails.
Capacity: Ideally suited for weddings and events of up to 90 guests, with accommodation for up to 30 guests.
Music: Celebrations can continue inside until 3am, with DJ services available. Outside music is permitted until 11pm, and indoor music until 3-4am with a buy-out.
Accommodation: 15 individually designed rooms, including one suite, providing on-site accommodation for up to 30 guests.
Wedding Services: Church or symbolic wedding ceremonies can be arranged. On-site floristry, hair and make-up services are available, as well as wedding cake, midnight snacks, an open bar and extended breakfasts.
Buy-outs: Exclusive use is available. Rental is based on a minimum spend of €16,000, with menus from €95 – €115 per person.

Relais Castello di Morcote

Relais Castello di Morcote is a charming 12-room boutique hotel set within the picturesque village of Morcote. It offers an intimate and elegant setting for small weddings and is a good choice for planners seeking discreet wedding venues in Ticino with authentic character.

Event Spaces and Services:

Exclusive Hotel Buyout: The entire hotel is available for exclusive use for weddings, with a minimum two-night stay required.
Terrace: A covered terrace provides a delightful outdoor space for gatherings during the summer months.
Bridal Preparation Room: A beautiful bridal preparation room at the top of the stairs, featuring a private balcony.
Boutique Accommodation: Twelve elegantly appointed rooms, accommodating up to 26 guests.
Pricing: €7,000 per night during high season weekends for exclusive bed and breakfast use, accommodating 26 people in 12 rooms.

Large hotel venues in Ticino

Giardino Ascona, Ascona

Giardino Ascona is a five-star hotel situated within a mountainous region of Ticino, on the edge of Lake Maggiore. The property features a Mediterranean-style park setting, with lemon trees around an ornamental carp pond, fountains and an olive grove.

Event Spaces and Capacity:

Outdoor ceremonies: There are large ceremony areas in the gardens to the side of the venue and on a large terrace between the pond and the pool. For small weddings, other ceremony options include the fountain area and adjacent to the pond.
Outdoor receptions: Up to 150 guests with a buyout, or 60 guests otherwise. A favourite format for non-privatised groups is an aperitivo on the roof terrace, followed by dinner on the terrace below, on long tables for up to 84 guests.
Indoor weddings: A choice of three restaurants or a separate event space for up to 120 guests with a buyout, or 60 guests without.
Accommodation: 71 guests rooms, all with a balcony or terrace to make the most of the stunning views.
Buy-out: Full hotel buy-out is available.
Pricing: Wedding reception menus are typically €95–€115 per person, with a minimum spend of €16,000.

Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola, Lugano

Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola is a stunning five-star hotel within a subtropical park on the shores of Lake Lugano. It offers a luxurious and refined setting for weddings and is one of the flagship luxury wedding venues in Ticino.

Event Spaces and Services:

This is a large hotel, with several formal reception rooms, including restaurants and lounges, in addition to the dedicated event space.

Sixth-Century chapel: An intimate chapel on the hotel grounds, ideal for ceremonies of approximately 35-40 guests.
Banqueting hall: A Grecian-style grand hall with a capacity for 80 guests for seated dinners and receptions, leading directly into the gardens.
Subtropical park setting: Beautiful gardens provide a picturesque backdrop for photographs and outdoor gatherings.
Luxury accommodation: 72 rooms, 30 suites and junior suites, and three two-bedroom suites, each individually styled.
Event management: The hotel’s team assists with menu tasting, floral arrangements and pre-wedding salon appointments, and offers special rates for guest accommodation.
Exclusive buy-outs: Available only during the low season.
Music: Allowed until 2am.
Venue rental: Starting from €42,000.

Swiss Diamond Hotel

Swiss Diamond Hotel is the only 5* hotel situated directly on the shores of the lake, with the main hotel linked to the lakeside pool area by an underground walkway.

Event Spaces and Services:

Banqueting hall: A grand hall with a capacity of 160 guests for seated dinners and receptions.
Rooftop pavilion: A pavilion on the roof, accommodating 70 guests for indoor-outdoor gatherings, leading directly to the restaurant and dance floor.
Pool area: Exclusive use of the pool area for up to 120 guests.
Ceremonies: Options for civil ceremonies and aperitivo parties, as well as symbolic ceremonies.
Accommodation: 87 elegantly appointed guest bedrooms.
Onsite spa: Including in-house hair styling, manicure and pedicure services.
Music: Outdoor music permitted until 11PM, followed by quieter indoor music until 1AM.
Catering: Menus starting from €135 per person.
Pool area privatisation: €10,000 rental fee.

Parkhotel Delta Wellbeing Resort

Parkhotel Delta is a 4-star hotel in an 8-hectare subtropical park on the edge of Lake Maggiore, between Ascona and Locarno. It is a year-round resort with a choice of guest bedrooms and larger apartments, a wellbeing spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and a gym. This makes it a good choice for those wanting to stay in the area a little longer.

The venue offers packages for weddings, including dedicated event staff, a tuk-tuk ride and a complimentary bridal suite for the couple.

Event Spaces and Services:

Outdoor ceremonies and receptions: The park setting offers ample space for large weddings, with the option to include a firework display.
Banquet hall: in addition to the two restaurants, there is a dedicated banqueting hall with capacity for up to 130 guests and direct access to the poolside terrace.
Buy-outs: Privatisation of the entire resort is possible. Rental fees for wedding buy-outs start from €63,000 per day.
Music: Until midnight, or until 3am with a buy-out.

The Delta Beach Lounge

Under the same ownership as the Parkhotel Delta Wellbeing Resort, the Delta Beach Lounge is a sophisticated lakeside event venue in a Bauhaus-style building with a superb roof terrace. Echoing the Parkhotel’s commitment to quality and comprehensive facilities, the Beach Lounge offers a cosy contemporary design and versatile spaces.

Event Spaces and Services:

Air-conditioned indoor space: Elegant, modern interiors provide a comfortable setting for dining and events for up to 150 guests, with one event space leading seamlessly into the next.
Panoramic terrace and gardens: A great space for ceremonies and relaxed open-air cocktail receptions.
Lake-view rooftop: A unique feature providing elevated views, perfect for sunset ceremonies or cocktails.
Cuisine: A diverse menu featuring Mediterranean and fusion cuisine, alongside classic and gourmet pizzas, crafted by Chef Alessio Ricciarelli with a focus on seasonal and local ingredients.
Capacity: The venue can be exclusively booked for up to 600 people, but for weddings it is best suited to groups of 60-120 guests
Music: There’s no onsite accommodation, so music can continue until 3am.
Prices: The cost for weddings at Delta Beach Lounge is based on a minimum food & beverage spend of €21,000

Event spaces and restaurants in Ticino

Villa San Quirico, Minusio

Villa San Quirico has been owned by the city of Minusio since 2004 and functions as their version of a town hall. It is licensed for civil wedding ceremonies but has minimal furniture, catering facilities or onsite staff. San Quirico church is within the grounds. It feels authentic rather than luxurious, but offers a strong blank canvas for a wedding.

Event Spaces and Services:

Indoor space: The Rivapiana Room on the ground floor spans the full width of the building, with doors opening onto the terrace. Capacity for up to 80. On the first floor, there is a similarly sized room, again opening onto a terrace. Basic catering kitchens are located in the lower ground floor areas.
Outdoor space: The terrace and beautiful stone staircase lead into attractive 2,000m² gardens with views down to Lake Maggiore.
Price: Villa San Quirico is available for buy-outs from around €6,000.

Moncucchetto, Lugano

Moncucchetto, nestled in the heart of Lugano, is a successful winery that blends tradition with innovation within a striking structure designed by renowned architect Mario Botta. It combines sustainability with high-quality wine production and offers a distinctive setting for a wedding celebration.

Event Spaces and Services:

Vineyard: For intimate weddings, ceremonies for up to 22 guests can be held in the vineyard or on the terrace.
Glass-walled restaurant: The main winery features a first-floor restaurant with glass walls overlooking the stainless-steel wine production machinery below. It provides a modern industrial ambience for dining and events, with total capacity for 130 guests, or 60 guests in each arm of the L-shaped restaurant.
Grassy outdoor event space: A large grassy area above the vineyard, accessible via a narrow path, is perfect for simple outdoor ceremonies or cocktail receptions.
Cuisine: Fine wines produced on-site are paired with fresh, seasonal ingredients, including vegetables grown in their own gardens.
Sustainability focus: Strong emphasis on sustainability, with vegetable gardens and beehives on-site, showcasing their commitment to eco-friendly practices.
Capacity: Suitable for events of up to 100 people.
Exclusive buy-outs: Exclusive use of the venue is available for weddings and events.
Music: Allowed until 2am with a buy-out

Tenuta Bally Von Teufenstein, Vezia

Close to the city of Lugano, within an 80-acre estate dating back to 1917, you’ll find a collection of traditional farm buildings set within 6.5 acres of vineyards. Tenuta Bally Von Teufenstein offers an authentic and rustic setting for small weddings, where guests can enjoy local wine and cuisine in the courtyard, garden or adjoining permanent marquee.

Event Spaces and Services:

Indoor space: A permanent marquee with a small rustic terrace and capacity for up to 300 seated guests.
Outside spaces: A sheltered courtyard within the traditional farm buildings, plus gardens overlooking the vineyards.
Music: Until 2am within the marquee.
Price: From €3,500 per day on an exclusive-hire basis.

LAC, Lugano

LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, established in 2015, is a premier performing arts centre that also serves as a sophisticated event venue. With a central location, a social vision and high-quality services, it provides a modern and elegant setting for premium events and contemporary wedding venues in Ticino.

Event Spaces and Services:

Cloister courtyard: A beautiful sheltered courtyard with manicured lawns and a ceremony room. It offers an outdoor setting for photographs and pre-event gatherings for up to 200 guests.
Theatre: A state-of-the-art theatre suitable for large-scale presentations and performances for up to 300 guests.
Upper floor event space: A large, modern event space for up to 200 guests, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and panoramic views of the city and lake.
Catering: High-quality on-site catering services offering premium culinary experiences.
Buy-outs: Privatisation is possible for each of the spaces.
Accommodation: No on-site accommodation, but as a city-centre location it is close to numerous hotel options.
Rental fees: Cloisters from €1,200 per day, theatre from €11,000 per day, panoramic event space from €3,000 per day.
Music: Permitted until midnight in the cloisters, or until 3am in the event space.

Blu Restaurant & Lounge

BLU Restaurant & Lounge is a great choice for an arrival dinner or an after-party. It offers guests a panoramic terrace with views of Lake Maggiore and the surrounding Alpine skyline. Blu is a lakeside restaurant and party setting, with a central restaurant, mezzanine party lounge and a large covered terrace leading towards the lake.

Event Spaces and Services:

Restaurant: Capacity for up to 360 indoors. The restaurant is completely glass-fronted to maximise the lake and mountain views, and it opens onto the terrace.
Outdoor terrace: Capacity of 200, with a retractable roof that allows outdoor-style events regardless of the weather.
Menus: In-house catering only, with a variety of cuisines, including sushi, vegan, and Mediterranean dishes.
Late-night music: The venue operates as a nightclub from 11pm to 3am, with capacity for 130 guests. This makes it ideal for a late-night party in the upper mezzanine lounge, which overlooks the restaurant.
Buy-outs: It is possible to privatise the venue, with rental fees from €21,000

Ristorante Vicania

Ristorante Vicania is a traditional and rustic restaurant in a remote location on the edge of the hill leading to Castello di Morcote (Morcote Castle).

The main restaurant seats up to 80 guests across three linked areas and has a pretty terrace shaded by trees. There is no onsite accommodation, but the remote location allows music all night.

Costs start from €70 per person, based on a minimum of 50 guests for a restaurant buy-out. As a result, it offers an inexpensive, relaxed and rustic option for a pre- or post-wedding event.

Tenuta Castello di Morcote

Immediately below Castello di Morcote, Tenuta Castello di Morcote offers an intimate and picturesque setting for small events within its contemporary stone farmhouse and surrounding vineyards.

With a capacity of 50, exclusive buy-outs are available, providing access to two beautiful rooms, a barrel cellar, a fireplace room, and a spacious garden with mountain views.

Castle Wedding Venues in Ticino

Castelgrande

Castelgrande, a majestic castle overlooking the city of Bellinzona, offers a truly unique and historic setting for events, with breathtaking views of the city and surrounding valley. Echoing its rich history and architectural grandeur, Castelgrande provides versatile spaces for unforgettable celebrations.

Event Spaces and Services:

Grotto San Michele: A charming space within the castle grounds with a capacity for 70 guests. It features a vaulted room and a pretty outdoor terrace with incredible views, nestled among the castle’s stone walls and vineyards.
Central grass courtyard: Ideal for aperitivo standing receptions or for ceremonies, with local authority permission. It’s worth noting that it can be windy, and it’s open to the public until 6pm daily, so set-up can be a challenge.
Ground floor banqueting hall: An atmospheric space with capacity for 120 guests, perfect for formal wedding banquets.
First floor event space: A contemporary area accommodating up to 200 guests for symbolic ceremonies and dinners.
Accessibility: The castle is accessed by car via a winding road or a concealed elevator direct from the city square.
Catering: On-site catering services with a minimum food spend of €3,000 and banquet prices from €70 per person.
Music: Outdoor music permitted until 10PM and indoor music until 2AM.

Castello di Morcote

Enter through the Castello di Morcote walls into an atmospheric stone entrance hall leading to stone stairs and the castle ruins. For a small wedding ceremony, there is a gorgeous courtyard within the ruins. For larger weddings, continue to the top, where the castle opens into a beautiful informal garden within the walls, with panoramic views across the lake towards the sunset. After the ceremony and drinks reception, a seated reception can be held in the permanent clear-walled marquee below.

Event Spaces and Services:

Castle gardens: A beautiful garden at the castle summit with panoramic lake views and a stunning sunset backdrop, suitable for larger ceremonies for up to 160 guests.
Castle courtyard: A charming courtyard within the castle ruins, ideal for intimate wedding ceremonies.
Reception marquee: A teak-floored marquee immediately below the castle walls, accommodating up to 160 seated guests for dinner and dancing.
Exclusive availability: Only one wedding per weekend, limited to 15-18 weddings per year from May to October.
Music: No restrictions, allowing all-night celebrations.
Catering packages: On-site catering packages from €200 per person, including canapés, a three-course plated meal, linens and seven hours of service.
Venue rental costs: Weekend rental from €14,000; midweek rental from €8,000.

Important Considerations:

Outdoor venue: Primarily an outdoor wedding venue in Ticino, available from May to October only.
Limited shade: Minimal shade in the garden; late afternoon ceremonies are recommended for June to August.
No on-site accommodation: Guests will need to arrange their own accommodation nearby.
External amenities: Requires rental of toilet facilities and air conditioning for the marquee.
Accessibility: The main castle is not wheelchair accessible. Toilet facilities can not be offered within the main castle, so guests will need to return to the marquee below for these facilities.

Final thoughts

From our own exploration of Ticino, we’ve fallen in love with its unique blend of Italian charm and Swiss elegance, and we’re excited to share these wedding venues in Ticino with you. We’ve wandered through fragrant botanical gardens on private islands, felt the history in ancient castle courtyards and enjoyed the views from modern, glass-walled restaurants overlooking the shimmering lakes.

What stood out most was the diversity of options. You’ll from intimate, family-run boutique hotels where you instantly feel at home, alongside grand five-star resorts offering every luxury imaginable. We’ve highlighted venues that offer something truly special that goes beyond the typical wedding experience and offer the chance to create memories that will last a lifetime.

We’d encourage you to discover this region for yourselves.

Thank you to hosts Regina Lai, Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau (SCIB), Samuel Righetti, Ludmilla Wiederkehr, Stefania Casellini, Vanessa Giudici and Swiss wedding planners Felix Fay, Loukia Denzler Arapian, Nicki Taeymans, Savina Uldry.

If you are a wedding planner or a couple and would like additional information or assistance on weddings in Ticino, you can speak directly to us at [email protected] or Regina Lai at the Switzerland Tourist Board at [email protected]. For a broader view of the country, you can also explore our handpicked collection of wedding venues in Switzerland.