Looking for a place to have a cocktail reception in Florence Italy
 

We have a family wedding in Florence and would like to have a gathering prior to the wedding at a restuarant or hotel for 25-30 people, liquor and food not dinner, just appetizers. Would like to stay in the central area of Florence. Any suggestions?
Thank you

Have you picked your wedding venue? Although Florence is not a big place, it would be unfortunate to send your well'dressed guests out into a sudden rain or the blazing sun in heat wave to troop across town, or through tourist mobs, to get from the bar to the wedding venue. So if you are trying to do this on your own without the help of a wedding planner, might be a good idea to look for someplace in the very immediate vicinity of your wedding ceremony. Also, the winding alleys of Florence can be confusing, sot some people will get lost getting there, so another reason to keep them close together.

If you want liquor as opposed to wine, you should look for a bar. You can plug the address of your wedding venue into a Google map search preceded by the words "bar near xxxxxxx". Google will identify some nearby bars and give them a look with Street View. Since most bars in Italy tend to be very small, if they can handle 30 people, it's only because 3/4 of the group is standing outside, where there are only a few tables. So consider hosting this pre-wedding event at the nearest fine hotel with a bar near your wedding venue. Again, if it rains or is very hot, you'll know everyone can be comfortable mingling indoors.

There have been several people on Fodor's get married in Florence and have receptions. Perhaps a search will turn them up. I know one person used this place for a reception which overlooks Florence.

http://villalefarnete.com/

This person doesn't post anymore, but she got married at Palazzo Vecchio, not sure where her reception was held. She posted links to her pics if you want some ideas for shots.

http://www.loriandmatthew.com/photos...ng2/index.html

http://www.loriandmatthew.com/photos...ng1/index.html

The person that had a reception at villa Le Farnete posted a few pics her mom took which shows some of the food.

https://picasaweb.google.com/biancas...54332206891682

I found a post of Lori's that says her reception was at vill La Mass which is not in the center either. They seem to have a shuttle service.

http://www.villalamassa.com/en/24/meeting---events.aspx

I would have it at the Savoy in the Piazza Repubblica.

Posh.


Thin

I was looking to have a gathering of family and friends the evening before the wedding. Nothing formal, just a few drinks and appaetizers. The wedding ceremony and reception is in the center of Florence and yes it is thru a wedding planner.Perhaps I will ask the bride to see if her wedding planner could suggestion some restuarants or hotels.
Thank you for suggestions

yes, you want it as close to the wedding venue as possible.

what a lovely idea.

The Florence tourism website lists 169 restaurants in Florence.

http://www.firenzeturismo.it/en/moto...i-ricerca.html

http://www.firenzeturismo.it/en/rist...na-fiorentina/