Palais Daun-Kinsky: Vienna’s Most Elegant Baroque Palace for Luxury Destination Weddings
Venues
A Palace Wedding in Vienna: Palais Daun-Kinsky
For couples dreaming of a wedding in Vienna that feels like stepping into a baroque painting, Palais Daun-Kinsky is one of the city’s most spectacular addresses. Overlooking the elegant Freyung square in the 1st district, this 18th-century palace combines imperial grandeur with the intimacy and privacy of a private residence.
Table of contents
A Baroque Jewel in Vienna’s Historic Centre
The Beauty of Vienna All Around You
The Floor Plan: How the Palace Flows for a Wedding
The Rooms in Detail – Sizes & Atmospheres
Capacities & Wedding Scenarios
Civil Ceremonies, Services & Gastronomy
A Wedding Day Flow at Palais Daun-Kinsky
Why Palais Daun-Kinsky for a Luxury Destination Wedding?
Practical Information for Your Wedding at Palais Daun-Kinsky
The Beauty of Vienna All Around You
Choosing Palais Daun-Kinsky means placing your celebration at the heart of Vienna’s UNESCO-listed historic centre. Vienna evolved from a Roman camp into a medieval and baroque capital, later becoming the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The old town is a tapestry of palaces, churches, gardens and grand boulevards such as the Ringstraße.
Within a few steps of the palace:
- St. Stephen’s Cathedral rises over winding medieval lanes.
- The Hofburg and its gardens recall the era of the Habsburg emperors.
- Legendary Viennese coffee houses – including Café Central, whose coffee culture is recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage – offer an atmospheric setting for pre- or post-wedding gatherings.
For your guests, a wedding at Palais Daun-Kinsky is not just an event, but an immersion in Vienna’s music, art and café culture.
The Floor Plan: How the Palace Flows for a Wedding
The event spaces of Palais Daun-Kinsky are located on the bel étage, the grand first floor reached via an impressive baroque staircase – a dream setting for portraits and an unforgettable bridal entrance.
The layout is classically Viennese: a suite of salons arranged in enfilade (one following another), allowing a beautiful, fluid progression through your wedding day.
Bel étage layout (event level)
- Grand staircase & arrival foyer
- Ovaler Festsaal (Oval Ballroom) – the main state room
- Empfangszimmer (Reception Room) – ideal for champagne and canapés
- Damensalon (Ladies’ Salon)
- Herrensalon (Gentlemen’s Salon)
- Gelber Salon (Yellow Salon)
This configuration offers enormous flexibility: from intimate dinners in a single salon to full-scale celebrations using the entire suite.
Source: Official Website of Palais Daun-Kinsky (www.palaisevents.com)
The Rooms in Detail – Sizes & Atmospheres
Official venue data indicates five main function rooms totaling 345 m², with the largest room at 90 m² and a maximum capacity of around 220 guests for a reception when all spaces are used.
Ovaler Festsaal – The Iconic Oval Ballroom
Empfangszimmer – Reception Room
Size: approx. 90 m²
Banquet: up to 96 guests
Standing reception: approx. 100 guests
This is the heart of the palace and one of the most beautiful oval salons in Vienna. Frescoed ceilings, tall windows, red damask wall panels and a cascading crystal chandelier create an almost theatrical backdrop for:
- civil or symbolic ceremonies
- gala dinners with long imperial tables
- first dances under the chandelier
Historically, this was the ballroom where the aristocracy dined and danced; today, it becomes your own private court.
Size: approx. 57 m²
Standing reception: around 40 guests
This room typically serves as a welcoming space: champagne, live music and mingling as guests arrive. Its proximity to the Oval Ballroom makes the transition from reception to ceremony or dinner seamless.
Gelber Salon – Yellow Salon
Size: approx. 80 m²
Banquet: around 42 guests
Theatre style: up to 80 guests
Soft yellow tones, ornate panelling and tall windows make this salon perfect for:
- a separate lounge area with bar and DJ
- a children’s room or quiet space for older guests
- an intimate rehearsal dinner the night before
Herrensalon – Gentlemen’s Salon
Size: approx. 63 m²
Banquet: around 40 guests
Traditionally more “masculine” in its colour palette, this salon lends itself well to:
- cigar & digestif lounge after dinner
- whisky or wine tasting corner
- smaller family dinner or pre-wedding brunch
Damensalon – Ladies’ Salon
Size: approx. 55 m²
Banquet: around 32 guests
With elegant décor and a slightly softer mood, the Damensalon is ideal for:
- a bridal dressing and touch-up space
- an intimate tea or cake table
- a quieter conversation room for guests who retreat from the dance floor
Capacities & Wedding Scenarios
Thanks to its enfilade of salons, Palais Daun-Kinsky can be tailored to different guest numbers while preserving a feeling of exclusivity.
According to official capacity data:
- Total number of function rooms: 5
- Largest combined space: Ovaler Festsaal + Damensalon + Herrensalon + Gelber Salon
- Area: 288 m²
- Banquet: up to 180 guests
- Theatre style: up to 192 guests
- Overall max. capacity: up to 326 persons (using all spaces and formats)
Example set-ups
Intimate celebration | 30–60 guests
Classic palace wedding | 80–120 guests
Grand soirée | up to 180 guests
- Ceremony in the Ovaler Festsaal
- Seated dinner in the Festsaal
- Lounge & bar in one salon, dessert and coffee in another
- Champagne reception in the Reception Room
- Ceremony & dinner in the Oval Ballroom (long imperial table or round tables)
- Gelber Salon as bar & dance floor, Herrensalon & Damensalon as lounge areas
- Use the entire suite: Oval Ballroom + all salons
- Progressive experience: reception → ceremony → gala dinner → dessert and dancing spread across the rooms
Civil Ceremonies, Services & Gastronomy
Palais Daun-Kinsky is an official registry office location. Civil marriage ceremonies are held on selected days and times, with exclusive use of the Oval Ballroom and reception room for up to three hours. Floral décor on the registrar’s table and welcome signage at the entrance are typically included in the palace’s official wedding package.
For your celebration, you can expect:
- Professional in-house event team coordinating logistics, timings and technical support
- High-end catering through the palace’s exclusive partners, including cuisine from the Café Central patisserie, renowned as one of Vienna’s finest.
- Elegant tableware, Chiavari-style chairs and classic linen perfectly suited to the baroque interior
The result is a cohesive experience where service, gastronomy and setting are curated at the same high level.
A Wedding Day Flow at Palais Daun-Kinsky
A typical luxury wedding day at the palace might unfold like this:
1. Arrival on Freyung
2. Grand Staircase Entrance
3. Civil or Symbolic Ceremony
4. Champagne & Canapés
5. Imperial Dinner
6. Dessert, Coffee & Dancing
Guests step out onto the refined square, framed by palaces, churches and arcades, before entering via the richly sculpted portal.
The bridal couple ascends the baroque staircase – a natural moment for photography and a breathtaking first impression for guests.
In the Oval Ballroom, the registrar or celebrant conducts the ceremony surrounded by frescoes, stucco and candlelight.
The reception room opens for champagne, canapés and live music, while the ballroom is turned over for dinner.
A multi-course menu is served under the chandelier – an echo of the historic princely banquets once hosted here.
Salon doors open; guests flow into adjoining rooms for dessert buffet, Viennese coffee specialties and dancing late into the night.
Why Palais Daun-Kinsky for a Luxury Destination Wedding?
For a couple considering Vienna for their destination wedding, Palais Daun-Kinsky offers a rare combination:
- Authentic baroque palace, not a modern ballroom disguised as “imperial style”
- Unbeatable location in the UNESCO-listed old town, steps from the city’s major sights and five-star hotels
- Flexible room configuration for 30 to around 180 banquet guests
- Official registry office option, allowing you to marry legally and celebrate in the same historic setting
- World-class gastronomy and Viennese coffeehouse heritage woven into your menu and dessert concept
If your vision is to exchange vows in a palace that feels both royal and intimate, surrounded by centuries of history and the soft glow of crystal chandeliers, Palais Daun-Kinsky is one of Vienna’s most compelling stages for a truly luxurious destination wedding.
Practical Information for Your Wedding at Palais Daun-Kinsky
Seasonality
Garden & Outdoor Spaces
Accessibility & Parking
Accommodation Nearby
Catering
Event Timing & Closing Hours
Real Candles
Dancing & Music
Smoking
Palais Daun-Kinsky is open year-round for private events and weddings, offering complete flexibility whether you envision a winter palace celebration, a springtime soirée in Vienna, or a late-summer evening surrounded by baroque splendor.
As a historic state palace, Palais Daun-Kinsky does not offer a garden or outdoor courtyard for ceremonies or receptions. All celebrations take place within the palace’s richly decorated baroque interiors — ideal for couples who appreciate controlled environments, consistent lighting, and weather-proof elegance.
The palace provides barrier-free access, making it suitable for all guests, including those with mobility needs.
Parking is not available directly on-site, but there are multiple secure external garages within a very short walking distance, convenient for guests arriving by car or private chauffeur.
Although the palace itself does not include overnight rooms, it is surrounded by an exceptional selection of luxury and boutique hotels within walking distance — including options perfectly suited for bridal preparations, VIP guests, and honeymoon-style suites. This allows for an elegant transition between celebration and rest, without compromising on comfort or proximity.
All catering is provided exclusively by the palace’s approved partners, ensuring a level of culinary quality that aligns with the venue’s prestige. Couples may choose from high-end menus, bespoke creations, premium wine pairings, and refined patisserie, allowing a personalised gastronomic experience that complements the grandeur of the salons.
Weddings and events may be hosted throughout the day; however, specific closing hours apply depending on the event type and day of the week. This ensures a seamless coordination of logistics, staffing and city regulations while still allowing an unforgettable evening.
Real wax candles are permitted throughout the palace, adding an authentic, romantic glow that enhances the baroque atmosphere. Safety measures are coordinated with the in-house event team to preserve both ambiance and historical preservation.
Dancing is allowed in all rooms, offering complete flexibility in designing your celebration flow — from elegant dinner settings to lively evening festivities.
A designated dance floor is not obligatory, giving couples freedom to style the ballroom or salons exactly as they wish.
Smoking is not permitted inside the palace.
Guests may smoke outdoors only, ensuring the interiors remain pristine and compliant with Austrian regulations.
