Things You Need to Know When Planning a Wedding in Italy
From insanely gorgeous wedding venues and breathtaking views to world-renowned cuisine and wine served with the warmest of hospitality, you don’t need us to tell you why getting married in Italy is always a good idea.
However where we can help is pointing out the things you need to know when considering getting married there, to help ensure you have the smoothest planning process possible.
Below we’ve listed some of the key things to think about before going on that all exciting venue hunt.
Choosing a Location
Italy is home to an abundance of beautiful spots to get married in, each bringing something different and special to the table. Below we’ve listed some of the most popular areas and a couple of things to bear in mind.
Rome - Famous for being a very romantic city, Rome is filled with iconic spots for wedding photos and plenty of wonderful wedding venues. It’s really easy to get to from the UK with direct flights available, but bear in mind it is one of the most expensive cities to get married in Italy.
Florence - A beautifully historic and charming city, Florence has plenty to see and do and we love how walkable it is. Equally as easy to get to as Rome but is a fair bit cheaper.
Venice - A truly one of a kind city, Venice is a really memorable spot for a wedding, that’s simple to get to from the UK. Just bear in mind that due to it’s unique nature, it’s a real tourist hot spot so it’s best to get married here out of season.
Amalfi Coast - Filled with beautiful towns and villages perched on the coastline, the Amalfi Coast is a stunningly chic choice for a wedding. It can be a little trickier to get to, so bear this in mind when planning your guest list and potentially stick to smaller numbers of your closest family and friends.
The Lakes - Lake Como, Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore are all breathtakingly pretty spots to get married in. With many wedding venues nestled right on the coastline, you’ll benefit from seriously beautiful backdrops to your wedding day. They can be a little trickier and longer to get to from the UK, so factor this into the planning, or opt for Lake Maggiore if you want something closer.
Choosing a Venue
It seems that no matter where you pick in Italy, the buildings are gorgeously unique in their own way. Some of the main types of venue you tend to find are the below, all of which can often adapt to weddings of varying sizes.
-Castles
-Manor houses
-Villas
-Converted historic buildings
-Restaurants
-Hotels
-Vineyards
Tip: If you’re eyeing up a historic venue, what you ideally want to look out for is one where they’ve restored the history and charm, whilst introducing modern day creature comforts like air-conditioning and wifi. That way you can ensure you and your guests will feel comfortable throughout the whole day.
Legal Requirements
There are a couple of options to choose from when getting married in Italy, which usually just require a little bit of paperwork. Alternatively if you’d like to keep things simpler, you can get legally married in the UK and then hire a celebrant to lead a ceremony on your wedding day.
Civil Ceremony - If you’re after a legally binding, non-religious ceremony, you’ll need to have it legally approved by the Town Hall and it’ll need to take place either within the Town Hall itself or in buildings and outdoor spaces approved by the Italian government. For this you’ll need to prepare a few documents including passports, birth certificates and proof of residence to get approval.
Religious Ceremony - For church ceremonies, you’ll need to meet with the church specifically. They’ll then run you through any pre-marital requirements that need to be met to get married within one of their religious buildings.
Budget
It’s typically considered that if you opt for a destination wedding you’ll get good value for money in comparison to the UK. Whilst this can be true in a lot of cases, prices can vary hugely from venue to venue and the region, so it’s important to shop around a bit. Aim to get 3 to 5 quotes per venue and suppliers to get a strong understanding of the general costs. Don’t forget to also factor in the cost of getting you and your nearest and dearest there, along with potential supplier travel costs if you’re bringing them over from the UK.
Best Months
To benefit from the enjoyably warm weather and fewer crowds, we recommend having your Italian wedding in either late Spring (May-June) or in early Autumn (September-October). Try to avoid the peak months of July and August if you can, when it can be particularly hot and crowded, especially in touristy areas. The weather can also vary from region to region, so be sure to look into your particular chosen areas too. If you’re after milder weather, stick to the North of Italy, so places like Milan, Lake Como or Venice. If you’re a sun-lover, then take a look at places like Rome, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast.
Guest Accommodation
When choosing a venue, be sure to think about the possibilities for guest accommodation too, especially if you’re planning a wedding on the larger side. You may find the venue itself has plenty of bedrooms, but its helpful to scout out other options nearby in case there isn’t enough, or to give a range for different budgets. You can then share this information along with any details of local transportation on your wedding website, or in your invitation pack.
Wedding Outfits
As the weather will be a fair bit hotter than the UK, its important to factor this into your outfit choices for both the bride and groom and the wedding party. Opt for lightweight materials and consider stylish layers that you can pop on top for the cooler evenings.
