San Lazzaro degli Armeni wedding – Astghik & Jacopo
Armenian Wedding at San Lazzaro degli Armeni
Do you think it’s possible to organise your destination wedding in a couple of weeks? Astghik and Jacopo are the best proof that impossible doesn’t exist. This stunning Armenian – Italian couple from Austria organised their traditional Armenian wedding in Venice in no time without any help of a professional event planner. Their wedding ceremony took place in San Lazzaro degli Armeni Island at the San Lazarus Church. The reception couldn’t take place anywhere but at the stunning Ca Zenobio Armenian palace.
Isola di San Lazzaro degli Armeni wedding at San Lazarus Armenian Church
The church of San Lazzaro retains the 14th century pointed arch style. Its magnificent neo-Gothic interiors and the play of light and shadow create a perfectly dramatic backdrop for a wedding ceremony. The Baroque altar features Paoletti’s paintings of the saints.
San Lazarus Island is a tiny island which is a part of the Venetian Lagoon. It has been home to an Armenian Catholic congregation monastery of Mekhitarists since 1717. The island is only a couple of minutes boat ride away from San Marc’s Square and it’s entirely occupied by the Mekhitarist monastery.
One of the most interesting facts about San Lazarus is that the monks at the monastery make a delicious jam from the roses grown in the surrounding gardens. It’s called Vertanush and it’s made from the petals around May when the flowers are blooming. The monks also run a small shop so you can get a jar of this delicacy when you’re around next time!
Every time I am on this tiny little island it feels like I’m taken to a completely different world. I can find some serenity and magic only a couple of minutes away from the buzzing main island. The magic garden is also a perfect place to hide from the summer heath. San Lazarus church is definitely one of my favourite places in Venice for a wedding ceremony. It just can’t get more picture perfect.
Palazzo Ca’ Zenobio degli Armeni
Ca Zenobio is another gem that you can find in the Dorsoduro area. It was constructed in 1690 by the Zenobio family. 160 years later it became the home of the College of the Padri Armeni Mechitaristi di S. Lazzaro in 1850. The Hall of Mirrors or Sala degli Specchi is a spectacular ballroom. If you’re lucky, you can organise your wedding reception there. Otherwise you shouldn’t miss visiting it when you’re visiting Venice as the interiors are absolutely breathtaking! The palace hosts numerous art exhibitions during Venice Biennale so it’s a good time to visit it each year too.
Venue: Palazzo Ca’ Zenobio degli Armeni . More couples session examples from the mentioned venue can be found here.