Casa de la Era
Marbella
Find your venue
Search our wedding venues
Filter our featured venues by destination, city, style, size and features. These are only a few of the venues we work with, so if nothing fits, tell us what you need and we will find it.
9 venues
Wedding venues
Wedding venues chosen for how your day will feel
The venue is the first big decision of any wedding, and it shapes nearly every one after it: the date, the guest list, the menu, the photographs and how the evening ends. Choose well and everything else falls into place. Choose in a hurry and you spend the rest of the planning working around it.
We help couples find wedding venues in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and beyond: clifftop terraces, rustic fincas, castles, country houses, hilltop villas and beach clubs. We have walked these venues, worked with their teams and seen how they handle a real wedding day, so we can tell you what the brochure leaves out.
This page covers the basics every couple needs: the types of venue and how they are hired, what venue hire costs across five countries, whether you can legally marry on site, what to check in the contract and the terms you will see on a quote.
Search our featured venues above, browse by destination or style, or let our wedding planners build a shortlist for you through our venue sourcing service.
By destination
Where would you like to get married?
Each destination guide covers the venues we recommend, the legal side of marrying there, the best months and what a wedding typically costs.
Spain
Fincas, castles and beach clubs across Andalusia, Cádiz and Catalonia, where most of our weddings take place.
Wedding venues in Spain →
Costa del Sol
Marbella, Málaga, Estepona and the hills behind them, with sea views and a long, reliable season.
Costa del Sol venues →
Portugal
Lisbon palaces, Algarve clifftops and quintas in the countryside.
Wedding venues in Portugal →
Italy
Masserie and olive grove estates in Puglia, and villas across the Italian countryside.
Wedding venues in Italy →
Greece
Island weddings with whitewashed terraces and Aegean sunsets.
Wedding venues in Greece →
United Kingdom
Country houses, barns and castles across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
Wedding venues in the UK →
By style
Every kind of setting
Not sure where to start? Browsing by style is often the easiest way in. For a fuller guide, see our types of wedding venue page.
Types of venue hire
How wedding venues are hired
Two venues with the same hire fee can cost very different amounts by the end of the night. What matters is how the venue is hired, because that decides what is included and what you still have to bring in.
Dry hire
You hire the space only, usually for a day or a weekend, and bring in every supplier yourselves.
- Included: The grounds and buildings, sometimes basic tables, chairs and parking
- You arrange: Caterer, bar, staff, furniture, lighting, toilets and sometimes power
- Suits: Couples who want full creative control and a planner to run it
All-inclusive
The venue provides the food, drinks, staff and furniture as a package, priced per guest.
- Included: Menu, drinks package, waiting staff, tables, linen and often the ceremony set-up
- You arrange: Flowers, photography, music, styling and extras
- Suits: Couples who want a simple budget and fewer suppliers to manage
Exclusive use
The entire venue is yours, often with the rooms, for one to three nights.
- Included: Sole use of the grounds and accommodation for your guests
- You arrange: Depends on the venue, which may be dry hire or packaged
- Suits: Wedding weekends, with a welcome party and a recovery brunch
Approved suppliers
You choose your caterer and key suppliers from the venue's own list of approved companies.
- Included: The space, plus suppliers who already know the venue
- You arrange: Choosing from the list, and asking if outside suppliers pay a fee
- Suits: Couples who want some choice without starting from scratch
Many fincas and private villas are dry hire, while hotels and many Spanish venues work on an all-inclusive price per head. Our types of wedding venue guide goes deeper into each style.
A little guidance
How to choose the best wedding venue
Start with the feeling you want: a long lunch under the olive trees, a black-tie dinner in a castle, a party by the sea that goes on until three. Then let the practical details narrow the list. These are the six we check first for every couple.
- Guest numbers: the space should feel full but comfortable, for the ceremony, dinner and dancing. A venue built for 250 can feel empty with 60.
- Budget: know what the hire fee includes and what sits on top, from catering and furniture to staff, security and cleaning.
- Style: beach, villa, rustic finca, hotel or grand estate. Choose what feels like you, not what looked best on Instagram.
- Access: airports, transfers, parking and where your guests will stay. Rooms on site make a weekend wedding far easier.
- Season and light: where the sun sets, how hot the terrace gets at 5pm and whether there is shade or a covered plan B.
- Rules: music curfews, noise limits, exclusive use, approved suppliers and whether you can legally marry on site.
Visit at the time of day you will actually marry. A terrace that looks perfect at eleven in the morning can be in full sun at five, and that changes everything about the ceremony.
Wes, Owner & Wedding Planner
How it works
Finding your venue, the easy way
From your first idea to a signed contract, we handle the search and the negotiation.
1
Your brief
Style, guest numbers, budget, dates and the places you are drawn to.
2
The shortlist
A focused shortlist of venues that fit, with honest pros and cons for each.
3
Viewings
In person or by video call, arranged around you and attended with you.
4
The booking
We check the contract, negotiate the terms and secure your date.
5
Everything after
Caterers, florists and suppliers who know the venue, all coordinated.
Budget
How much does a wedding venue cost?
The venue is usually the largest single cost of a wedding. Prices vary with the country, the season, the day of the week and whether catering is included.
| Destination | Typical venue cost | What the figure covers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Around £6,040 | Average venue hire, excluding catering | Bridebook 2026 Wedding Report |
| Spain | About 53% of a €25,183 average wedding | Venue and reception (banquet) together, average 123 guests | Bodas.net 2026 report, via Euronews |
| Portugal | €3,000 to €7,000 | Rustic and vineyard venue hire. Luxury resorts €7,000 to €15,000, castles and palaces €10,000 to €20,000 | Zankyou, 2026 |
| Italy | €3,000 to €5,500+ a day | Exclusive-use hire for one day. Villas with accommodation €4,000 to €10,500 a day, with a minimum stay | Weddings Abroad Guide, 2026 |
| Greece | €3,500 to €14,000 | Venue for around 100 guests, highest on Santorini | Big Fat Greek Day, 2026 |
These sources measure slightly different things, so use them as a guide. We give you the full figure for every venue on your shortlist, including catering, drinks, staff and any minimum spend.
The legal side
Can we legally marry at the venue?
Not always. Whether the venue can host your legal ceremony depends on the country, and it is one of the first things to check before you book.
| Destination | Legal ceremony at the venue? | What most couples do |
|---|---|---|
| UK | Yes, at licensed venues in England and Wales. In Scotland a registrar or celebrant can marry you at almost any location | Give notice at the register office and marry at the venue |
| Spain | Rarely for couples from abroad, as civil weddings usually need at least one of you to be resident | Marry legally at home, then hold a symbolic ceremony at the venue |
| Portugal | Yes, through the Civil Registry, with no residency requirement | A civil ceremony at the venue, or a symbolic one to keep it simple |
| Italy | Yes, at town halls and venues approved by the local council | A civil ceremony at an approved venue, or a symbolic one |
| Greece | Yes, with no residency requirement, though the paperwork is involved | Many marry legally at home and hold a symbolic ceremony |
Rules change, so we always confirm the current requirements with the local authorities, and you should check with your registrar or consulate before finalising plans. A symbolic ceremony can take place anywhere, at any time, with no paperwork.
Before you sign
What catches couples out
Most venue problems come from the small print, not the venue. These are the points we check in every contract.
On the viewing
Questions to ask on a venue viewing
Take this list with you, or let us ask it for you. The answers matter more than the view.
On the day
- Where does each part happen? Ceremony, drinks, dinner and dancing
- What is the plan B? For rain, wind or extreme heat
- Is it exclusive use? Or will other guests or events be on site?
Suppliers & timings
- Is there a music curfew? And does music have to move indoors?
- Can we bring our own suppliers? Or is there an approved list?
- When can suppliers set up? And when must everything be cleared?
The money
- What exactly is included? Furniture, staff, lighting, cleaning and VAT
- Is there a minimum spend? On food, drink or accommodation
- What are the payment terms? Deposit, balance and cancellation
Glossary
Venue hire terms explained
The words you will see on quotes and contracts, in plain English.
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Dry hire | Hiring the space only. You bring in the caterer, bar, furniture and other suppliers. |
| Exclusive use | The whole venue is yours for the day or weekend, with no other events or public guests. |
| Minimum spend | The least you must spend on food and drink, whatever your final guest numbers. |
| Price per head | A package cost for each guest, usually covering the meal, drinks and staff. |
| Approved suppliers | The venue's list of caterers and suppliers you can use. Others may need permission or pay a fee. |
| Corkage | A charge per bottle if you supply your own wine or drinks. |
| Curfew | The time the music must stop or move indoors, and when guests must leave. |
| Turnaround | Resetting the ceremony space for dinner or dancing while guests enjoy drinks elsewhere. |
| Hold | A date kept for you for a few days without a deposit while you decide. |
| Licensed venue | In England and Wales, a venue approved to host legal civil ceremonies. |
How we help
Your venue, handled
Whether you need us to find the venue or simply run the day once you have, read more about our wedding planning and wedding coordination services below.
Venue sourcing & planning
As destination wedding planners, we shortlist venues, arrange the viewings, check the contract and then build the whole wedding around it, from wedding catering and flowers to photography and entertainment.
- A shortlist matched to your style, guests and budget
- Viewings arranged and attended with you
- Contracts checked and terms negotiated
On-day coordination
Already booked your venue? Our on-the-day wedding coordinators meet the venue team, confirm the timings and run the day so the venue works exactly as you planned.
- Final walk-through with the venue team
- Supplier arrival and set-up times managed
- Room changes and plan B handled on the day
Kind words
What our couples say
★★★★★
We fell in love with our Marbella venue the moment we saw it. Thank you for helping us find somewhere so special!
Imogen & Rupert
Venue in Marbella
★★★★★
We had no idea where to start looking for a venue in Málaga, and the choice was honestly overwhelming. Wes and his team helped us narrow things down and find somewhere that suited us perfectly. The views were beautiful, the setting was relaxed, and it felt right as soon as we arrived. We couldn't be happier with the recommendation.
Clara & Edward
Venue in Málaga
★★★★★
From the moment we found Swish Soirées, we knew we were in safe hands. Planning our wedding from Madrid while organising guests travelling from across Europe could have been overwhelming, but every step was handled with professionalism and genuine care. The venue looked even more beautiful than we imagined, and every supplier was exceptional. Our family still talks about how magical the whole day was.
María & David
Wedding planned from Madrid ·
Read more from our couples on our testimonials page.
Good to know
Wedding venue questions
How much does a wedding venue cost?
+
It depends on the country, the season and whether catering is included. As a guide, UK venue hire averages around £6,040 excluding catering (Bridebook 2026), rustic and vineyard venues in Portugal run €3,000 to €7,000 (Zankyou 2026), exclusive-use venues in Italy start from around €3,000 to €5,500 a day (Weddings Abroad Guide 2026), and Greek venues for 100 guests range from €3,500 to €14,000 (Big Fat Greek Day 2026). In Spain, the venue and reception together take about 53% of the average €25,183 wedding (Bodas.net 2026). We give you the full figure for every venue on your shortlist.
What is a dry hire wedding venue?
+
A dry hire venue is hired as an empty space. You bring in every supplier yourselves, usually the caterer, bar, staff, furniture, lighting and sometimes toilets and power. It gives you the most freedom and often a lower hire fee, but far more to organise, which is why most dry hire weddings use a planner.
What does exclusive use mean?
+
Exclusive use means the whole venue is yours for the day or weekend, with no other weddings, events or public guests on site. Many villas and estates include the accommodation, and some ask you to book it for two or three nights.
What is a minimum spend at a wedding venue?
+
A minimum spend is the least you must spend with the venue, usually on food and drink, regardless of your final guest numbers. If your bill comes in under it, you pay the difference, so check it against a realistic guest count before you sign.
Can we legally get married at our wedding venue?
+
It depends on the country. In England and Wales you can marry at licensed venues, and in Scotland almost anywhere. Portugal, Italy and Greece allow civil ceremonies for couples from abroad, while in Spain civil weddings usually need at least one of you to be resident, so most couples marry legally at home and hold a symbolic ceremony at the venue.
Do you charge to help us find a venue?
+
Venue sourcing is part of our planning service. We shortlist settings to suit your style and budget, arrange the viewings, and negotiate and secure the booking on your behalf. Get in touch and we will explain exactly how we can help and what it involves.
How far in advance should we book our wedding venue?
+
The most popular venues book up early, so we recommend twelve to eighteen months ahead where you can, especially for Saturdays in June and September. Fridays, Sundays and the shoulder months often have more availability, and we regularly plan beautiful weddings on shorter timelines.
Can we view venues before we book?
+
Yes. We arrange viewings in person or by video call, whatever suits you, so you can get a real feel for each setting before deciding. For couples planning from the UK and Ireland, a virtual tour is an easy way to shortlist from home before flying out to see your favourites.
How many venues will you show us?
+
A focused shortlist, usually three to five, rather than an overwhelming list. Each one is chosen to match your style, guest numbers and budget, and we tell you honestly what each does well and where the compromises are.
Can you work with a venue we have already found?
+
Of course. If you already have a venue in mind, we are happy to check the contract, handle the negotiations and coordinate everything around it. You do not have to start from scratch.
Do wedding venues include catering and accommodation?
+
It varies. Hotels and some estates include catering and rooms on site, while private villas and fincas are often a blank canvas where we bring in caterers, furniture and lighting. Many villas also ask you to book the accommodation for two or three nights. We always make clear what is included so there are no surprises.
What is the best month for an outdoor wedding in southern Europe?
+
Late May, June and September usually give the best balance of warm, reliable weather without the peak heat of July and August, when temperatures on the Costa del Sol, the Greek islands and southern Italy regularly reach 30°C or more. Whatever the month, we plan ceremonies for the softer late-afternoon light and make sure there is shade and a plan B.
More answers on our frequently asked questions page.
About the author
Wes, Owner & Wedding Planner
Wes leads Swish Soirées from our office in Marbella. He has viewed and worked at venues across Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and the UK, and this guide draws on what he looks for when he builds a shortlist for a couple.
Established 2019100+ weddings plannedBased in Marbella
Meet the team →
Journal
Tips, ideas & inspiration
Advice and inspiration from the weddings and events we plan across Europe and the UK.
Wedding Lamps and Lighting on the Costa del Sol
Festoon, fairy lights, lanterns and uplighting, what each costs on this coast, and what your venue can actually take.
Read article →
Choosing Your Wedding Day Makeup Artist
Why SPF ruins flash photographs, what makeup actually costs abroad, and how to trial and brief an artist properly.
Read article →
The Best Wedding Entertainment Ideas for a 2027 Wedding
From ceremony musicians and mobile bar services to booths, DJs and late night food, what actually works and roughly what it costs.
Read article →Read more from our Wedding Blog