Getting Married at the Hôtel Mona in Montreux: The Complete Guide to a Dream Wedding on the Shores of Lake Geneva (photos at the bottom of the blog)
Have you said “yes” to the idea of celebrating your wedding overlooking Lake Geneva, with the Alps as a backdrop?The Hotel Mona in Montreux is now one of the most sought-after venues on the Vaud Riviera for weddings, and it’s no coincidence. With its terrace just five meters from the water, its fully glass-enclosed reception hall, and the unique opportunity to arrive by boat at its own private dock, the Mona offers a setting that instantly transforms a wedding from “beautiful” to “unforgettable.”
As a wedding photographer and videographer based on the Vaud Riviera, I’ve had the opportunity to capture many weddings in this location, and here I’m sharing everything you need to know before getting married there, as well as an experience your guests will never forget: the Italian-style boat ride in front of the hotel.
Why Choose the Hotel Mona for Your Wedding in Montreux
Located in the heart of Montreux, just steps from the train station and the boat landing, the Mona (formerly Eurotel Montreux) is a superior 4-star hotel situated directly on the shores of Lake Geneva. Its location is unique: while nearly all hotels in the region offer a view of the lake, very few provide direct access to the water with a private dock for the bride and groom.
What sets the Mona apart for a wedding:
- A breathtaking view of the lake and the Alps from nearly every reception area
- A terrace just a few meters from Lake Geneva
- A private dock that allows guests to arrive by boat right in front of the hotel
- Several spaces that can be customized to fit the size of your wedding
- A team dedicated to organizing events and weddings
The Mona Montreux's Event Spaces
The Piccard Hall
This is the Mona’s premier venue for large weddings. Measuring approximately 260 m², air-conditioned, and bathed in light thanks to its huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the Salle Piccard offers direct access to the Montreux waterfront and can accommodate up to 150 guests. As soon as the meal is over, it transforms into a dance floor complete with LED lighting, keeping the party going until the end of the night.
The Bel-Horizon Restaurant
Located on the first floor, Bel-Horizon is ideal for more intimate weddings. Its terrace overlooks the flower-lined quays of Montreux, and its fully glass-enclosed room ensures a panoramic view of the lake and mountains at all times—even during the cake-cutting ceremony.
The Sundeck, for a secular ceremony right on the water (almost)
On sunny days, the Mona offers its outdoor terrace, the Sundeck, as a setting for a non-religious ceremony overlooking the sunset over the lake. Unsurprisingly, it is one of the most photogenic settings on the entire Vaud Riviera for exchanging vows.
Arriving by boat: the highlight of your wedding at the Mona
If there’s one thing that sets a wedding at the Mona apart, it’s the chance to arrive at your own reception by boat, right at the hotel’s private dock. Imagine the scene: your guests, drinks in hand on the terrace, watching you glide onto the lake, with the sun glinting off the water and the mountain peaks in the background. It’s an entrance that neither a car nor a traditional wedding procession could ever match.
An Italian-style boat cruise in front of the hotel
Right in front of the Mona, on Lake Geneva, you can book a ride on an Italian-style boat (such as a runabout or a varnished wooden speedboat in the Riva style) for a private cruise with your partner, your wedding party, or even all of your guests. These elegant boats, with their timeless style and characteristic purr of the engine, offer a magnificent contrast between the boat’s vintage aesthetic and the spectacular landscapes of Lake Geneva, from terraced vineyards to Alpine peaks.
Here are a few ideas for incorporating this moment into your wedding:
- An Italian-style arrival by boat to the Mona’s private dock, just before the ceremony or reception
- A private moment by the lake between the ceremony and the cocktail reception, for a few romantic photos away from the crowd
- A mini-cruise for the bride and groom and their attendants, while the guests enjoy cocktails on the terrace
- A late-evening boat ride for a spectacular wedding celebration
For a photographer and a videographer, this boat ride is a golden opportunity: the light reflecting off the lake, the movement of the boat, the Alps in the background, and the dress fluttering in the wind all make for images and video footage you won’t find anywhere else in French-speaking Switzerland.
The Perfect Timing for Photos and Video
The light on Lake Geneva changes quickly, and choosing the right time of day has a huge impact on how your photos turn out. For a wedding at the Mona, here’s what I generally recommend:
- Late afternoon / golden hour: the golden light over the lake and the Alps, perfect for portraits of the bride and groom on the terrace or on the dock
- Sunset: If your non-religious ceremony takes place on the Sundeck, timing it for sunset will result in spectacular photos
- Boat ride: ideally between the ceremony and the cocktail reception, when the light is still soft and not all the guests have arrived yet
Why hire a photographer and videographer who is already familiar with the Mona?
Every wedding venue has its own challenges and advantages: how the light changes throughout the day, the best vantage points from the Piccard Room or the Sundeck, access to the dock, and logistics involving the boats. Working with a photographer and videographer who has already covered weddings at the Mona saves you precious time on the big day: no need for last-minute location scouting, no unpleasant surprises with the lighting, and a carefully planned schedule to capture every moment, from your arrival at the dock to your first dance in the Piccard Room.
Together with my partner Audrey, we cover weddings throughout the Vaud Riviera—Montreux, Vevey, Lausanne, Geneva, Gstaad—offering both photography and videography (cinematic wedding films), with a special focus on exceptional venues such as the Hôtel Mona.
Would you like to get married at the Mona in Montreux?
If you’re planning your wedding at the Hôtel Mona or are still deciding between several venues on the Vaud Riviera, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I can share examples of weddings I’ve photographed there, offer advice on timing to make the most of the light, and work with you to ensure that this day—and the Italian-style boat cruise on Lake Geneva—will be forever captured in both photos and video.
Please contact me to discuss your wedding at the Mona Montreux and to check my availability.
