The Best Venues for a Small, Intimate Wedding Abroad

If you plan on having a small guest list but certainly don’t want to settle for an unimaginative, small wedding, you need an elaborate venue and destination to create the ultimate micro-wedding celebration.

Collating boutique wedding offerings across the globe, our shortlist of intimate wedding venues are perfect to host under fifty guests, each designed with intimate settings, so your refined guest list won’t look and feel out of place.

Top Destinations for Small Weddings Abroad

From Palazzo’s to pool lounge’s and countryside retreats, here’s 12 of the best wedding venues to host a small yet epic destination wedding;

Greece has many beautiful islands, but none offer a backdrop more dramatic than Santorini for your wedding day. Oozing timeless beauty and elegance, the Cocoon Suites is a sanctuary for the senses. Hanging on the cliff’s edge, there’s uninterrupted views of azure blue waters and white-washed buildings.

It’s the ultimate location for exchanging vows and spending quality time with loved ones. And on that note, the exclusive property offers nine newly renovated ‘cave suites’ with five-star touches for guests to enjoy. Not to mention a 24 hour concierge service for all those celebratory ouzo’s you’ll be ordering!

Roll your wedding, after party, and honeymoon into one, and take over the property for a memorable stay.

Could there be anywhere more grand, more luxurious, and more divine place to elope than Villa Vittoria on the edge of Lake Como? This popular Italian getaway is chic and cheerful, with space for up to sixty guests, perfect for those erring on the larger scale of bijou weddings.

Perfectly positioned on the world-famous lake, the historical villa offers a tranquil setting, including a beautiful poolside pergola, or grand main hall for exchanging vows.

At Vittoria, romance is always in the air, with a stunning backdrop made for such a special occasion.

A luxury palace no less, Palazzo Vilòn offers a regal, Baroque setting in the heart of Rome. This exclusive city escape provides the most prestigious backdrop for a wedding of up to forty guests.

Formerly a residence of the Borghese Prince, the Palazzo is one of the most indulgent spaces for paired down weddings. Featuring four premium bedrooms, a SPA and secluded gardens the entire palace can be taken over for bespoke, nuptial celebrations, providing a tranquil haven in a city worthy of indulgent exploration.

With luxury firmly on the venue’s agenda expect a lavish 5-8 course wedding breakfast to impress your selected invitees.

Picture, a long wedding weekend in Tuscany surrounded by twenty four of your nearest and dearest, laughing, dining, wine tasting and making memories of a lifetime.

Follonico is one of the most desirable intimate, wedding Estates in Italy, boasting 20 hectares of rolling hills and vineyards, a part of the world that visitors are inevitable to fall in love with.

When not taking in the scenery there is a large saltwater pool for guests to enjoy, beautiful walks, wine or cheese tasting and of course the possibility to explore the delights of Tuscany further.

Break away with all conformity and exchange wedding vows in a Bali Pool Club. Experience a micro-wedding unlike any other, surrounded by lush, tropical gardens just steps away from Bali’s best beach suburb.

Set amongst a stone walled restaurant Cabana, Banana Lounge Bali features an 18 x 6 metre pool and adjoining lawn with beautifully appointed furnishings, creating an ambient space ideal for hosting intimate, romantic celebrations.

What’s more, adjacent to the lounge wedding guests can be accommodated in the boutique set of villas, Jellyfish.

Flawless perfection in a heavenly setting, Athina Luxury Suites is a wedding experience with no expense spared. Complete with un-rivaled views out to the Aegean Sea, Athina sits in the sought-after location of Fira, just steps away from the cosmopolitan lifestyle of Santorini.

From elaborate, traditional wedding services to chic civil ceremonies the team of on-site planners work timelessly to create dreamy intimate, small weddings abroad.

Offering maximum indulgence whilst reigning in the guest list, this stylish sanctuary hits all the marks for the ultimate destination micro-wedding.

An urban oasis in the heart of Colonial Mexico, La Valise San Miguel de Allende makes a popular choice for jet-set weddings with a cultural flair. A masterpiece in every sense, the boutique haven consists of six suites and ethereal gardens, offering a complete buyout for exclusive wedding events.

The venue’s stunning rooftop terrace offers panoramic views of the city’s iconic skyline, providing an idyllic reception space, whilst the lush courtyard hosts magical wedding ceremonies and cocktail parties for up to forty guests.

A true Spanish island gem, Ten Mallorca combines luxurious comfort with complete tranquility. Boutique styling throughout, you can expect Egyptian cotton bed linen, a designer pool terrace lined with artisan umbrellas and a restaurant fusing British and Mallorcan cuisine.

If the saltwater pool isn’t enough, there’s a well-equipped gym with yoga mats and a personal trainer available on request- for those pre-wedding workouts!

Catering up to thirty wedding guests and accommodating twenty, this glamorous bolthole is made for intimate soirees.

If a wedding view with a difference is more your thing, Austria encapsulates the most picturesque of wedding backdrops and the exclusive Villa Antoinette is a perfect chill out retreat for small weddings abroad.

An old-world country Estate, the villa is positioned near the health resort town of Semmering. Come Summer, Spring, Autumn or Winter Antoinette dazzles with its mountainous surroundings providing a chic escape from the hustle and bustle of life, offering a peaceful setting to say ‘I Do’.

Delve into Colombian culture and head to the vibrant port city of Cartagena to unearth the Artisan residence,  Amarla. An eclectic, boutique hotel offering exciting wedding guest experiences including; cigar rolling, chocolate tasting and cooking classes.

This Colonial building positioned just a few steps from the Caribbean Sea boasts a desirable, wedding ceremony rooftop with breathtaking views of Cartagena de Indias.

Perfectly scaled for up to fifty wedding guests Amarla is the ideal host for classy, romantic micro-events.

The warm climate of Southern Spain makes it an excellent choice for alfresco weddings abroad. Make full use of sun-filled blue skies at The Beach House Javea, situated seafront with infinite ocean views.

This chilled boutique venue, noted for celebrating Mediterranean simplicity offers a boho-vibe with an enviable rooftop made for intimate wedding ceremonies. With space for up to seventy guests if needed this coastal beauty allows for last-minute additions if your refined guest list needs to stretch a little further.

If a quiet lakeside location sounds more to your preference, Woodside Lodge on Loch Goil will give you all the feels of a Highlands Hideaway.

Housing one of the UK’s largest collections of Arts and Crafts furniture and antiques, the lodge has been lovingly restored and has proudly been hosting weddings for over two decades for restrained guest lists of up to forty guests.

Immerse yourself in Scottish countryside and honeymoon in the lochside summerhouse perched on the water’s edge.

Rustic chic with a touch of Italian flair – that’s what this five-bedroom farmhouse promises, making it an excellent choice for happy couples.

Expect warm family-friendly hospitality and your very own wedding day co-ordinator to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Nestled in the Umbrian countryside, this 12th Century property is ideal for couples seeking refuge and an authentic Italian experience. Surrounded by luscious greenery and majestic scenery, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped inside one of Perugino’s original works!

Whether it’s a close family celebration, or get-away for two, you’ll appreciate the serenity and sanctuary within the famous Italian countryside. Relax before or after your big day with on-site facilities including an outdoor pool, acres of walking space, and the local Medieval town of Gubbio to explore. It’s the perfect introduction to married life.

Discover more wedding venues

Find your extraordinary Wedding Venue | Wedinspire Venue Finder