Luckily, Prague is brimming with romantic settings, so I guarantee you won’t make a “wrong” choice regardless of the venue you decide to pick!
However, I know that researching and considering all the different aspects of each venue can feel exhausting, so I’ve compiled this guide to simplify the process for you.
Since I specialize in micro weddings and elopements, one factor they share in common is that they are especially well-suited to smaller occasions, though I will indicate when they’re suitable for larger weddings as well.
It's important to note that the venue you choose will determine much of your timeline, flow of events, decorations, and catering options, so make sure to decide on one early in the planning process.
Vrtba Garden
Often listed under the “hidden garden” category in guides to Prague, the Vrtba Garden is a peaceful haven near the bustling city center. The centerpiece is its sala terrena, a hall featuring baroque frescoes, and beyond it lies a stunning ornamental garden. The garden’s pathways make for a beautifully choreographed entrance of bride and groom.
The UNESCO-listed garden is open for weddings April – November and offers an intimate setting for ceremonies. Recommended for up to 40 guests (but would have the capacity for 200+ in good weather). Rental of the space for a wedding, as of the time of this post’s publication, is approximately 13,000 czk for 90 minutes, but if you would like to only rent the space for an photoshoot without a ceremony, the cost would be approximately 1500 czk, so it is one of the most budget-friendly options you will find. If you decide it’s the venue for you, I'd be more than happy to assist you with the application process through the Civil Registry Office in Prague.
Folklore Garden
Mixing traditional Czech design accents with modern services – every possible camera frame seemed to capture a photogenic scene – the Folklore Garden is the definition of enchantment and whimsy. Immediately on arrival, your guests will see a fairytale setting featuring a small castle in the center. Continuing along an ivy-lined pathway to the right, they’ll arrive in a quaintly decorated reception space with room for up to 200 guests.
The managers of the Folklore Garden offer to take care of many services from you: decoration, catering (including a sweet bar), cake cutting, coordination, music, and private parking. Beyond the reception area, there are many scenic locations for your couple’s photoshoot right outside, making it a great option both from the perspective of charm and logistics.
Petrin
Overlooking a sea of tan rooftops and the Vltava River, Petrin is one of Prague’s most iconic parks. Beyond its famous lookout points, you can find a series of gardens and architectural attractions, making it a fantastic choice for an exploration photoshoot. Highlights include the Petrin lookout tower, the Kinsky Gardens, and the Rose Gardens, each of which have different atmospheres but are united in their romantism. If you’re after a smaller wedding or elopement, Petrin is one of the best options.
For receptions, there are several appealing choices nearby:
- Nebozizek Retaurant
- Restaurant Petrinske Terasy
- Luka Lu Restaurant
The managers of each of these restaurants are experienced in wedding coordination, offering a range of services including custom menus and live bands.
An Embassy
An often-overlooked option for those interested in elopements or microweddings is selecting an embassy as a ceremonial venue. Your mileage may vary, depending on your nationality, but the possibilities can be truly enchanting. I recently photographed a wedding in the Italian Embassy in Prague, and all of us were blown away by the magnificence of the palace where the embassy was located. Ornate mirrors, chandeliers, and paintings decorated every room, creating perfect backdrops for portraits. Equally fantastic were the embassy officials, who all seemed genuinely thrilled by the opportunity to take part in the ceremony and meet the bride and groom!
As always, if you would like assistance with the bureaucratic aspects of contacting embassies in Prague, I am here to help. And remember that the embassy you pick doesn’t necessarily need to represent a country from which you hold citizenship, so if your initial contact doesn't yield results, you could reach out to another embassy that is connected to your heritage.
A Custom Route
If an adventurous elopement is your dream, Prague is the place to go, even if you don’t have a specific reception or ceremony venue in mind. We can coordinate together and plan a route that hits the city’s highlights. Sometimes, the least expected locations can have just the right atmosphere for elopement photos that capture your uniqueness, like the metro, its vicinity, or the modern façade of the National Museum.
Whether you're after an urban-style elopement or an intimate garden ceremony, Prague is sure to be everything you dream of. I hope this guide has given you some inspiration and helpful tips as you plan. And if you need any further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly. I’ll work with you to make a custom plan that will actualize your vision for a dream wedding in Prague.