Italian Weddings: Happening Or Hype?

Italy is a popular destination for weddings, with its history, art, landscapes, traditions, food and wines. The country offers a range of venues, from castles and villas to hotels and beaches, providing options for both intimate and large celebrations.

From Tuscany's rolling hills and olive groves to the Amalfi Coast's romantic towns clinging to cliffs, Italy's diverse regions cater to different tastes and preferences.

Planning a wedding in Italy can be a complex process, with legal requirements varying depending on the couple's country of origin. However, specialist wedding planners are available to help couples navigate the process and create their dream celebration.

Wedding venues in Italy

Italy is a popular choice for destination weddings, with its stunning landscapes, rich history, and mouth-watering food. From the snow-capped Dolomites to olive groves, and from frescoed Venetian palaces to villas clinging to the Amalfi cliffs, there are countless options for a dream wedding in Italy.

Villa Venues

If you're dreaming of a lakeside wedding, there are many incredible villas on Lake Como, including the iconic historical Villa Il Balbiano, with its sumptuous interiors and direct access to the lake. Villa Pliniana is another stunning option, with incredible mosaics, artworks, and a private boat dock. Villa Sola Cabiati is described as an "aristocratic gem", while Villa Pizzo boasts extensive gardens overlooking the lake.

On the Amalfi Coast, you can get married in a medieval villa or ancient villa, or opt for a famous 5-star hotel. In Tuscany, there's Villa Cetinale, with its landscaped gardens and rich history, and Villa Treville, a boutique hideaway with spectacular views over the clear blue waters of Positano.

For a wedding on Lake Garda, you could choose a lakeside castle or a 4-star villa hotel. Or, for a truly unique setting, there's Isola del Garda, a Neo-Gothic Venetian-style villa on its own island.

Hotel Venues

For a fairytale setting, Hotel Villa D'Este on Lake Como has a grand, symmetrical facade, mosaic gardens, and elegant rooms. Belmond Villa San Michele in Florence offers a bespoke approach to wedding planning, with a choice of locations for the ceremony and reception, including Italianate gardens and a cloister.

In Rome, the Hotel de Russie provides an oasis of calm in the Eternal City, with a sunken courtyard restaurant framed by elevated, fountain-filled gardens. Villa Aurelia is another beautiful option in Rome, with elegant gardens and panoramic views of the city.

Venice is a popular choice for weddings, and the Aman Venice hotel embodies Venetian opulence. The historic Palazzo Papadopoli has frescoed, chandelier-adorned rooms, and two gardens—a rarity in Venice. The Belmond Hotel Cipriani is another luxurious option, with manicured gardens and vineyards.

Other Venues

For a more unusual setting, you could choose the Tonnara di Scopello in Sicily, an ancient tuna fishing village-turned-museum with a dramatic coastal setting. Or, for a rustic wedding, there's Masseria San Domenico in Puglia, a five-star hotel set among ancient olive groves.

These are just a few examples of the many breathtaking wedding venues Italy has to offer. Whether you're looking for a luxurious villa, a historic hotel, or a unique, natural setting, Italy has something to make your dream wedding a reality.

Italian wedding traditions

Weddings in Italy are steeped in age-old traditions that have been passed down for generations. From sweeping vineyards and olive groves to elegant villas and terraces, Italy offers stunning backdrops for a couple's big day. Here are some unique Italian wedding traditions:

Pre-Wedding Traditions

• Pre-wedding isolation: The groom traditionally stays away from the bride the night before the wedding, and the bride is not supposed to see her reflection either. She can only look into a mirror if she removes an accessory like a shoe or a glove.
• La Serenata: Friends and family gather to serenade the bride beneath her window the night before the wedding. The groom secretly brings musicians to perform romantic melodies for the bride.
• Green attire: It is considered good luck for the bride-to-be to wear green at the rehearsal dinner, symbolizing good fortune and a long life ahead.
• The groom's bouquet: The groom buys the bride's bouquet and has it delivered to her on the morning of the wedding.

Wedding Day Traditions

• White attire: While the bride traditionally wears white, guests are expected to avoid wearing white, as it is reserved for the bride.
• No gold jewellery: It is considered bad luck for the bride to wear gold jewellery other than her wedding ring.
• Iron charm: The groom carries a small piece of iron in his pocket during the ceremony to ward off evil spirits.
• Ripping the veil: It is considered good luck for the bride to rip a small portion of her veil.
• Sunday weddings: Sunday is considered the luckiest day to get married, bringing fertility and prosperity to the couple. In contrast, Friday weddings are associated with bad luck.
• Rice throwing: Guests traditionally throw rice at the newlyweds as they leave the church, symbolizing fertility.
• Bomboniere: The Italian word for wedding favours, bomboniere are small gifts presented to guests as a thank-you. They usually consist of an odd number of sugared almonds, symbolizing health, fertility, wealth, and long life.

Reception Traditions

• La Tarantella: Guests and the newlyweds join hands and dance in a circle to the lively Italian folk dance, La Tarantella.
• Garter removal: The groom removes the bride's garter and throws it to the guests. In some regions, the groom's tie is cut into pieces and sold to the guests instead.
• Breaking the glass: After the ceremony, the couple breaks a glass vase, and the number of fragments signifies the number of years they will be married.
• Practical jokes: Friends of the bride play practical jokes on the newlyweds, either at their house, hotel room, or car.
• Bouquet toss: The bride throws her bouquet to a group of unmarried women, and whoever catches it is believed to be the next to marry.

Italian wedding ceremonies

Italy is a dream destination for weddings, with its natural features, culture, history, and food offering endless opportunities to create unforgettable experiences.

There are several unique traditions that are part of Italian wedding ceremonies:

• The groom is not supposed to see the bride before the wedding—in some regions, the bride isn't even allowed to see herself!
• The groom buys the flowers, and in some northern regions, he presents the bouquet to the bride when she arrives at the church.
• Grooms carry a small piece of iron in their suit pockets, and brides rip a small portion of their veil to invite good luck to the marriage.
• The bride's father accompanies her to the ceremony and shakes the groom's hand before kissing his daughter and taking his seat.
• Rice or wheat is thrown at the couple as they exit the church, symbolizing fertility.
• The wedding ring in Italy is called 'fede', meaning faith, and is worn on the left hand, which dates back to Roman times and the belief that this finger had a direct connection to the heart.

Wedding Venues

Italy offers a plethora of breathtaking wedding venues, from elegant villas and luxurious hotels to rustic vineyards and ancient castles. Here are some of the most popular locations:

• Tuscany: Known for its rolling hills, olive groves, and bright yellow sunflower fields, Tuscany is the backdrop for authentic country-style weddings.
• Amalfi Coast: With its romantic towns clinging to cliffs and offering stunning views of the Mediterranean, the Amalfi Coast is a spectacular choice.
• Rome: The unique architectural and artistic treasures of Rome, such as the Colosseum and the Spanish Steps, provide a magnificent setting for weddings.
• Sicily: Weddings in Sicily are influenced by a fusion of cultures and colours, offering a journey between past and present.
• Venice: This city, with its elegant villas and luxurious hotels, is ideal for those seeking a romantic and luxurious wedding.
• Lake Como: Elegant villas and luxurious hotels on the shores of Lake Como provide a classy Italian lake wedding experience.

Wedding Traditions

Italian weddings are also known for their unique traditions, including:

• Rehearsal dinners packed with meaningful toasts, such as "Per Cent'anni" (for a hundred years) and "Evviva gli sposi" (hooray for the newlyweds).
• The serenade, or "La Serenata", where the bride is serenaded beneath her window the night before the wedding.
• Traditional Italian wedding attire includes elegant cocktail dresses, and it is considered bad luck for the bride to wear gold jewellery other than her wedding ring.
• Wedding receptions feature delicious Italian food, including grilled focaccia, prosecco, caprese, and traditional Italian wedding cake, "Millefoglie".
• Wedding favours, or "bomboniere", are given to guests, typically an odd number of sugared almonds.
• The traditional Italian folk dance, "La Tarantella", is performed, with guests joining hands in a circle and dancing clockwise as the music speeds up.

Italian wedding planners

Italy offers a variety of stunning locations for your wedding, from the rolling hills of Tuscany to the picturesque Amalfi Coast, the glamorous island of Capri, and the romantic cities of Rome, Venice, and Florence.

• Expertise and Experience: Italian wedding planners have extensive knowledge and experience in organising weddings in Italy. They can help you navigate any cultural differences, language barriers, and legal requirements, ensuring a stress-free planning process.
• Personalisation: Wedding planners work closely with you to understand your unique vision, style, and budget. They tailor their services to your needs, creating a personalised and memorable event that reflects your personality and the depth of your romance.
• Vendor and Venue Connections: With their industry connections, wedding planners can connect you with the best vendors and venues in Italy. This includes exclusive luxury villas, castles, elegant hotels, and breathtaking natural settings.
• Attention to Detail: Planners handle every aspect of the wedding, from catering and entertainment to lighting and decorations. They pay attention to the smallest details, ensuring that your special day is flawless and filled with unique touches.
• Peace of Mind: By handling the logistics, Italian wedding planners allow you to focus on enjoying your day and creating lasting memories. They provide seamless coordination and communication, ensuring that your dream wedding is brought to life exactly as you envisioned it.

Exclusive Italy Weddings:

Exclusive Italy Weddings is a top wedding planning company that specialises in creating luxury weddings across Italy. They offer four levels of planning assistance, allowing you to choose the option that best suits your needs. Their services include venue selection, catering, banqueting, music, entertainment, lighting, fireworks, and day-of coordination.

SposiamoVi:

SposiamoVi is a luxury Italian destination wedding planner known for crafting unforgettable and uniquely Italian wedding experiences. They offer full-service planning, guest consulting, and concierge services. Their dedicated team assists with every detail, from design and styling to vendor selection and travel arrangements.

Weddings Italy (Paolo & Jinane):

With over 30 years of experience, Paolo & Jinane (P & J) are renowned luxury wedding and event planners. Their team includes architects, logistics specialists, music managers, lighting designers, floral designers, and more. They offer a wide range of customisable services and have their own exclusive luxury villas and a stunning wedding castle.

Peach Perfect Weddings:

Peach Perfect Weddings offers a handpicked selection of elopement and wedding venues across Italy. They provide unique locations for civil and symbolic ceremonies, including villas, castles, hotels, and intimate countryside settings. Their website features popular wedding destinations, such as Lake Como, Lake Garda, the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, and Sicily.

Italian wedding menus

Aperitivo/Cocktail Hour

The wedding reception in Italy typically begins with a welcome cocktail hour, or 'Aperitivo', which can last up to an hour. During this time, guests are served a variety of hors d'oeuvres, including:

• Small bites like olives, crisps, nuts, and other salty snacks
• Old cheeses like Parmesan, mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes
• Salami, fried vegetables, mini quiches, and other canapes and appetizers
• Freshly cut prosciutto slices or other types of ham and cured meats
• Juices and alcoholic drinks like Campari, Prosecco, wine, and cocktails

Antipasti/Starters

The first dish served at the tables is the antipasti, which can be a single course or a mix of different foods. Depending on the season, antipasti may include:

• Bruschetta
• Mushrooms
• Shrimp cocktail
• Ham and melon
• Smoked salmon
• Grilled seafood
• Ricotta, peach, and pancetta crostini
• Focaccia
• Caprese salad (mozzarella, tomato, and basil)
• Prosciutto-wrapped melon
• Olives from different regions of Italy

Primo Piatto/First Course

The first course typically consists of pasta (spaghetti, fusilli, penne, ravioli, gnocchi, etc.), risotto, or soup. It is usually meat or vegetarian-based, depending on the choice of the secondo.

Sorbetto

A sorbet is served after the first course to refresh the palate before the second course. A typical flavour is lemon-mint.

Secondo Piatto/Second Course

The second course usually consists of meat, chicken, or fish. It is paired with a contorno, or side dish, which may include vegetables such as eggplants, spinach, mixed salad, or herb-roasted potatoes.

Dolce/Dessert

Italian weddings often feature a mix of international and Italian desserts. Traditional Italian desserts include:

• Tiramisu
• Cannoli
• Panna cotta
• Gelato
• Millefoglie wedding cake
• Limoncello cake
• Semifreddo

Caffe/Coffee

Italian wedding banquets always end with an espresso, followed by a digestivo like limoncello or Mirto from Sardinia.

Confettata

The famous Italian confettata is a dessert table where guests are served confetti, or sugar-coated almonds, which symbolise the bitter and sweet of life and are considered a wish for happiness and prosperity.

Children's Menu

A simplified children's menu is usually available and can include dishes such as pasta with tomato sauce and basil, and veal or chicken cutlet with French fries.

Frequently asked questions