Photos by CB Photographer Venice
Davide and Merve got married at Palazzo Cavalli, Venice’s historic town hall on the Grand Canal, in June 2026, with only their family and closest friends around them. Afterward they climbed into a water taxi, cruised the canals and went to lunch.
They skipped the big wedding on purpose. The point was to spend the day with the people who mattered most, and in Venice that means a ceremony, a boat and a long table.
A civil ceremony at Palazzo Cavalli
The ceremony at Palazzo Cavalli was simple and emotional, with their loved ones gathered close as they became husband and wife. Photographer Carlo Bettuolo notes that small weddings leave more time for people to just be together, and you can see it in the photos: less rushing, more hugging. Getting married abroad also comes with paperwork, and requirements vary by country, so start on it early.
A water taxi instead of a getaway car
Outside, Davide and Merve stepped out as a married couple for the first time, into a shower of rice from their guests, and headed to their water taxi. Merve wore a crown of pink and purple flowers; Davide wore a gray suit with a burgundy bow tie. In Venice, boarding a boat after your ceremony is completely normal and also something you won’t forget. They cruised through the canals, away from the streets and bridges, and took a breath while the city slid past.
Lunch at Taverna al Remer
The water taxi brought everyone toward the Rialto, where the celebration moved to lunch at Taverna al Remer: good food, conversation and time around the table. That was the whole reception, and it was plenty.
Get the look
Editor picks inspired by this wedding, not what the couple wore.
- KorViSHOW Pink Purple Flower Crown. Check the price at Amazon. An artificial rose and daisy crown in the same pink and purple as Merve’s, with a ribbon that adjusts to fit. If you’d rather wear fresh flowers, ask your florist to build one from your bouquet stems the morning of.
- The Tie Bar Solid Satin Burgundy Bow Tie, $28 at The Tie Bar. Silk satin in the deep red of Davide’s bow tie. It’s a self-tie, so practice the knot a few times before the wedding morning.
- Suitsupply Light Gray Perennial Tailored Fit Havana Suit, $549 at Suitsupply. A light gray suit in tropical wool from the Italian mill Vitale Barberis Canonico, a good weight for a June ceremony. Not every size was in stock when we checked, so order early and leave time for tailoring.
The idea worth stealing
Replace the reception with a long lunch. If your guest list fits at one table, a great restaurant gives you the food, the setting and the service without the production, and everyone gets time to talk to you. Want to see Venice dressed up instead? Here’s a luxury Venice wedding shoot.
Wedding vendors
- Ceremony: Palazzo Cavalli, Venice, Italy
- Lunch: Taverna al Remer, Venice, Italy
- Photographer: CB Photographer Venice
