Five Places In Florence To Host A Rehearsal Or Welcome Dinner

Photo by James x Schulze | GATHER Girl Sarah admiring the Florentine skyline from Boboli Gardens.

When we plan our destination weddings, we love to curate tailored 3-5 day experiences for our clients and their guests. After all, these gatherings serve as both a celebration of a marriage and as a vacation for those who make the trek to join the happy couple. Our goal for each wedding is to build in a variety of happenings throughout the trip including events like: a welcome dinner, cultural immersions, scenic excursions, late afternoon aperitif meetups, brunches, etc. The welcome dinner is the standard pre wedding gathering that virtually every client opts for, it’s usually in lieu of an American rehearsal dinner, and serves to do just as its moniker suggests: bring everyone together before the big day to kick off the festivities. If you’re planning a wedding in Florence or Tuscany (or just looking for a fun night out in Firenze!), here are five places to consider hosting a pre or post wedding gathering.

Golden view

If you’re after fresh and classy, Golden View’s contemporary dining room with large windows that open right onto the river and look at the Ponte Vecchio, make it an ideal venue to gather friends and family. The menu is a hybrid of traditional Italian infusing worldly flavors and presented with a modern flair. The original modern art collection gives nod to the local art scene and offers thoughtful cultural delights for diners. The restaurant has an extensive wine collection, part of which is provided by the owner’s private wine label, with plenty to please.

Website: https://goldenview.it/en/

Instagram: @goldenview_firenze

Tamerò

Another fun way to celebrate in Florence is in a piazza enjoying wine and fresh pizza and pasta with your nearest and dearest. For this fun and casual approach, we recommend Tamerò: a hip and playful pizzeria in the Santo Spirito piazza with street art and industrial vibes. The piazza is busy during the day with a daily market and in the evening is full of life and merriment. If comfort food is your game, we recommend trying the “coccole” (aptly translated as “cuddles” in Italian), which are pillows of fried pizza dough. Here they serve them with a to-die-for creamy truffle dip. And the pizza?! Oh-so-good!

Website: https://www.tamerofirenze.com

Instagram: @tamero_firenze

Le Lune

Ten minutes from the city center and in a beautiful green space, you’ll find Le Lune: a farm to table restaurant, nursery center and farm shop. If a meal al fresco in a green space close to the city with views, is your scene, Le Lune is a great option. The food is typical Tuscan, presented in a fresh contemporary manner. We love the delicious warm cookies they serve you as you leave.

Website: https://www.lelunefirenze.it

Instagram: @lelunefirenze

Cantinetta Antinori

If you’re hankering for an old world, Florentine classic: Cantinetta Antinori is for you. The restaurant is on the ground floor of the Antinori Palazzo, a palace owned by one of the oldest wine producers in the world. Aesthetically, it’s romantically dark and elegant with rich wood accents, traditional fixtures, historical photos, coved ceilings and a candlelit courtyard. The cuisine has an understated elegance with simple, classic Tuscan dishes prepared with the highest quality ingredients. The Antinori family has been making wine for twenty-six generations, so you’re ensured a top notch wine selection.

Website: https://cantinetta-antinori.com/en/

Instagram: @cantinettaantinori_firenze

Angel Roofbar & Dining

For a refreshing rooftop vibe that offers views of this remarkable Renaissance city, you’d do well to check out Angel Roofbar & Dining. This dining destination spans the top three floors of the Hotel Calimala and boasts 360 degree views. The style of the space is an eclectic combination of contemporary and edgy vibes and traditional elements like terrazzo flooring and white wrought iron cafe tables. We love having an aperitivo here as the sun sets and the rooftops start to glow.

Website: https://www.hotelcalimala.com/angel-roofbar-dining

Instagram: @hotel_calimala

Happy planning friends! XO- The GATHER Girls