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Destination Wedding in Italy - Italian Wedding Guide

Destination Wedding in Italy

Italy is at the epicenter of some of the world's greatest art, cuisine, and history. The Italian lifestyle, "la dolce vita" lures couples from all over the world to wed. Italy's diversity ranging from the snowy Alps to warm Southern Italy gives you endless possibilities for the perfect destination wedding.

Fact File Money & Wedding Costs
Highlights Wedding Providers Italy
Weather & Climate Legal Requirements
Culture & Etiquette Regions
Food & Drink  

Fact File

  • Size: 301,230 km²
  • Population: Approximately 60.3 million people (2022)
  • Capital City: Rome
  • Currency: Euro (EUR)
  • Languages Spoken: Italian is the official language, while regional dialects account for other variants.
  • Main Religions: Roman Catholic (approximately 88%)
  • Major Holidays:
    • New Year's Day (Capodanno): 1 January
    • Epiphany (La Befana): 6 January
    • Carnival of Venice (Carnevale di Venezia): Shrove Tuesday (February or March, varies each year)
    • Good Friday (Venerdì Santo): Friday before Easter Sunday
    • Easter Sunday (Pasqua): March or April (varies each year)
    • Easter Monday (Lunedì dell'Angelo): Day after Easter Sunday
    • Liberation Day (Festa della Liberazione): 25 April
    • Labor Day (La Festa dei Lavoratori): 1 May
    • Republic Day (Festa della Repubblica): 2 June
    • Assumption Day (Ferragosto): 15 August
    • All Saints' Day (Ognissanti): 1 November
    • Feast of the Immaculate Conception (L'Immacolata Concezione): 8 December
    • Christmas Day (Natale): 25 December
    • St. Stephen's Day (Giorno di Santo Stefano): 26 December
    • New Year's Eve (Notte di San Silvestro): 31 December

Highlights

wedding in italy

Historical landmarks and endless immaculate sightseeing possibilities give destination wedding seekers plenty of options for finding that perfect place in Italy. The number of options in Italy can even be overwhelming, so here are some of the highlights:

Grand Canal - Venice

How romantic would it be to have a wedding through the veins of one of Italy's most beautiful cities? Ca'Sagredo Hotel in Venice offers an immaculate stay at a 15th-century palace, while literally being at the entrance of the canal. Visit the Ca'Sagredo Hotel website for more information.

If you happen to be in Venice during Shrove Tuesday, the Carnival of Venice is a unique experience in itself. Take advantage of all that Venice has to offer. Be sure to go to the Piazza San Marco to see three of Venice's most prized sites at once: Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica, and Torre dell Orologio.

La Sala Rossa - Florence

wedding venues italy florence and tuscany

How lovely it is to be in the birthplace of the Renaissance. La Sala Rossa is a popular option for those wanting a civil ceremony within this great city. Known as the "Red Room", La Sala Rossa is located in the Governor's Quarters in the Palazzo Vecchio.

Before your ceremony, take a stroll through the stunning Boboli Gardens for the perfect photo opportunity. See some of the most coveted Renaissance art at the Galleria Degli Uffizi. Florence's brilliant architecture hosts many venues that are relatively ceremony-friendly.

St. Peter's Basilica - Vatican City

wedding abroad italy bride and groom infront of Saint Peter cathedral in Vatican italy

Encapsulated by its ecclesiastical culture, this church-state is the location of St. Peter's Basilica. This jaw-dropping 500-year-old church is frequently the host of Roman Catholic religious ceremonies. For more information on having a religious ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica, visit http://saintpetersbasilica.org/People/Weddings/Weddings-in-Italy.htm

Vatican City is also home to one of Italy's most coveted art museums. If your spouse has a thing for adventure, why not explore the Underground Vatican and visit the Tomb of St. Peter?

Nightlife - Milan

Milano is known as a fashion capital as well as for its nightlife. If you and your spouse enjoy an occasional outing, Milan might be for you. Visit this nightlife guide for some popular lounges and clubs.

Hotel Principe di Savoia is a venue through Dorchester Collection which facilitates high-end weddings in Milan. See the Dorchester Collection website for more information.

La Scala Milan also offers great Opera packages which may be of interest for excursions.

Hotel de Russi - Rome

Located in the heart of the ancient city, Hotel de Russi provides wedding facilitating services and venues to make your destination wedding in Italy everything you could possibly wish for. Breathtaking suites and packages await you. Visit the Hotel de Russi wesbite for more information.

While in Rome, head over to the Trevi Fountain and toss a coin to make a wish with your special someone. Then relive Ancient Rome and take a tour of the Coliseum. Not having gelato in Rome would be a crime! Gelateria Fatamorgna is among the best of gelateria's offering genuine gelato. Signature flavors include Tiramisu, Greek Fig, and Baklava. For more information visit their official website. 

Le Sirenuse - Amalfi

italy wedding destinations amalfi coast italy

Arguably one of Italy's most pristine locations. This exquisitely beautiful coast is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The breathtaking 28-mile winding coastline boasts colorful villas and scenery that one isn't likely to ever forget. Le Sirenuse offers weddings at their exquisite hotel which overlooks the coast. Also, Le Sirenuse offers boating and other activities which would be excellent excursions for your big moment. Visit the Le Sirenuse - Amalfi official website for more information. 

Pompeii

Experience the remains of 79 AD Roman culture, preserved by volcanic ash. Viator provides a holistic tour of Pompeii with a chance to hike Mt. Vesuvius, visit the Thermal Baths, Vetti's House and Lupanare, and the Forum. Check out some of the local tours here for more information.

L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele - Naples

This Neapolitan pizzeria is known by locals as one of Naples' best. These pizza pies have earned their notoriety since the establishment's 1870 opening by the Condurro family. For more information see the L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele - Naples official website. 

Naples is also known for its contemporary art scene. Head on over to a local gallery such as the Novecento a Napoli Museum for some contrast to the abundance of antiquity.

The Dolomites

If snow and adventure excite you, then why not enjoy one of Northern Italy's fantastic ski networks? Packages include an immense amount of possible lifts and terrain to choose from with that perfect person. PowderHounds offers reasonable packages with accommodation that can be accessed at the PowerHounds website

 

Weather and Climate

Italy's geography as a peninsula gives it a wide spectrum of climates. Northern Italy has notoriously dramatic winters. December to February can be as cold as -1.8°C (29°F) in Milan, with hot summers reaching upwards of 29°C (84°F) in July and August. Central Italy has a much more mild climate throughout the winter and summer, with the summer lasting longer than that of the north. The winter can be as cold as 4°C (39°F) from December to February in Rome, to upwards of 32 °C (90°F) in the summer during July. Southern Italy has a very tempered winter with a very warm summer.

Northern Italy can experience snow year-round in the mountainous regions. Lower altitudes experience a sunny summer. Precipitation increases in the spring around April and maximizes as the altitude increases. Winter in Northern Italy often sees dramatic snowfall, especially near the Alps.

Central Italy displays a prototypical Mediterranean climate and weather. The late spring and summer are filled with an abundance of sunshine from May to August. Autumn becomes less sunny as the rainy season begins around October. Late autumn and winter are rainy and not as sunny as November to February, but sunshine increases when spring is near in late March. Spring displays brilliant sunny days with minimal rain from March until May.

Southern Italy is host to fantastically hot and sunny days in the summer from June until August. Autumn increases in precipitation around October and sunshine slightly decrease. Winter is frequently overcast from December to February. Spring has a good balance of sunshine with not much precipitation from March to May.

 

Culture and Etiquette

Italian's are notorious for their warm and lively attitudes. Here are some useful phrases that will help you get by in Italy:

Phrase Meaning
Ciao! Hello (informal)
Salve! Hello (formal)
Arrivederci Goodbye
Come stai? How are you?
Buongiorno Good morning
Buon pomeriggio Good afternoon
Buona sera Good evening
Grazie Thank you
No Grazie No thanks
Prego You're welcome
Parli Inglese? Do you speak English?
Quale è il suo nome? What's your name?
Non-capisco I don't understand
Come dite ___ in italiano? How do you say ___ in Italian?

Perhaps one of the most common misconceptions in the Italian language is that ciao! can be used in any context. It is informal, and should accordingly never be used among a stranger. Salve! can be used to greet in a formal situation. Italian friends will often greet by kissing each other on the cheeks, once on each side.

Italians can be very fashion-conscious and a person's status is usually judged by their appearance. It's important to dress according to the context, such as visiting a church or other outings.

 

Food and Drink

Italian food is considered one of the best cuisines in the world.  Italian menus mainly consist of five components:

  1. L'antipasto These are the equivalent of appetizers. You will find common items such as bruschetta, cured meats, cheeses, etc.
  2. Il primo This is the first course. It will typically be pasta or soup, such as minestrone.
  3. Il secondo This is the main course. Seafood and meats are usually found here.
  4. Il Contorno The equivalent of a side dish. Salads or vegetable trays are common items.
  5. Il dolce Dessert. Italian favorites include Tiramisu, Cassata Siciliana, Biscotti, and many more.

In Italian restaurants, it is common to order bottled water versus tap water. Sparkling water is more common than the non-carbonated variant. Wine is a popular selection among Italians. Ordering a coffee will likely land you an espresso.

Most coffee beverages are consumed separately from the meal, and generally, cappuccino is not drunk past lunch. Limoncello is popular lemon-infused alcohol consumed mainly in Southern Italy, which is refreshing during the summer.

Tipping in Italy is subjective. Many say that "only tourists tip". Tipping practices can vary from region to region. As a standard, tipping is reserved for outstanding service. Also, when paying in cash, it is more acceptable to allow the recipient to keep the change.

A service charge is often included in the restaurant bill. Generally, you can find the rate at the beginning or end of the menu.

 

Money and Wedding Costs for Destination Wedding in Italy

how much for italian wedding cost of wedding in italy

Prior to the introduction of the Euro in 1999, Italy mostly ran on the lira. The Euro (EUR) is now Italy's official currency.

Most restaurants, hotels, and businesses accept debit and credit cards in towns and cities and ATMs are common.  In smaller villages, however, it is wise to keep cash on you as this may be the only way to pay.  Small businesses and markets will generally only accept cash.

The cost of your Italian wedding will vary depending on the location, services, duration, amount of guests, and excursions. Airfare should be taken into consideration and will vary depending on your location, with rates inflating during tourist season. More guests will increase the cost dramatically. Rent can be minimized or even nulled if guests are kept to a minimum. A destination wedding in Italy on a budget with around 40-80 guests can be around 6-8,000 € (excluding airfare). However, more decadent weddings can be upwards of 15,000 €.

It's worth checking in advance with wedding suppliers how they would like to be paid.

 

Legal Requirements for Marrying in Italy

wedding italy villa

Warning The following notes are not comprehensive and are intended as a guide only. Before planning your wedding in Italy we strongly advise you to contact the Italian embassy in your home country or your country's embassy in Italy to obtain up-to-date legal requirements.

No residency requirements are necessary for Italy, which makes a destination wedding a rather easy process.

 

Take me to Italy Wedding Directory Providers

 

Intent to Marry

Intentions to marry must be set by visiting the town clerk in the location that you desire to marry at. You must bring two witnesses with you, and if no one is a citizen then a translator will be required. If one of the couples is an Italian citizen, wedding banns will be posted for two Sundays. Four days after the final Sunday will mark the freedom to marry. If neither is Italian, then these banns are not necessary and marriage can occur after the intention is set.

Civil Ceremony vs. Catholic Ceremony

For a civil ceremony, a non-Italian is going to need to show their passport as well as a birth certificate less than six months old. If divorced, termination evidence will also need to be shown. You also need to bring four witnesses to the Italian counselor's office in your country and swear that you have the legal right to marry. This process must be repeated in Italy, in a counselor's office. Generally, it can take up to four days to be approved to marry by a ceremony held at the town hall.

The catholic ceremony is a much more intensive process for non-Italian. The couple will want to first obtain their civil marriage license. You will generally need a letter from your priest which states that you have fulfilled the Pre Cana procedures as well as permission. The priest will also need the same letter from your Archbishop. These two documents must be sent to the Italian priest at the location of which you desire to marry. The process should be initiated about 6-9 months before the planned wedding date.

To receive your marriage certificate, it's recommended to request multiple copies. The copies must be taken to the legalization office of the location for which the ceremony was approved. The documents will be stamped and deemed legal.

If you need any more information on getting married in Italy, you can contact the US Embassy website if you are American or the UK Embassy website if you are British. Likewise for other nationalities, we encourage you to reach out to your appropriate Embassy, to confirm details.

Regions of Italy

Italy is split into 20 unique regions, all except the Aosta Valley of which are further split into provinces. Each region has fantastic attributes that make it a great spot for a destination wedding.

Find out more about the Regions of Italy or browse our Italian Wedding Directory to start planning your dream wedding.

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