Planning A Tuscan Wedding: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a wedding in Tuscany takes time and preparation. It's recommended that you allow at least a year to plan your wedding, giving you time to find a venue and contact vendors. You'll also need to decide whether you want a legally binding ceremony or a symbolic one. If you're travelling to Tuscany for your wedding, it's worth considering how you'll get there and whether you'll need to hire a car. You may also want to hire a wedding planner to help with the organisation and language barrier.

Choosing a legally binding or symbolic ceremony

When planning a wedding in Tuscany, you will need to choose whether your ceremony will be legally binding or symbolic. There are many types of ceremonies that can be organised. If you want your marriage in Tuscany to be legally binding, there are now many wedding venues that have permission to celebrate civil weddings, so the bride and groom can fulfil their dream of a civil wedding outdoors among the beautiful Tuscan landscape.

If you would like a legally binding ceremony, you should start planning at least a year in advance to find a venue that offers this. You will also need to consider whether you want to hire a wedding planner. This will make the organisation of your wedding much easier, as they will have knowledge of Tuscany and Italian customs, laws and regulations. They will act as your proxy with your venue and providers, and can suggest different ones depending on your budget, style or requests.

If you opt for a symbolic ceremony, you will have more flexibility with your venue and can choose somewhere that suits your style and budget. You may still want to hire a wedding planner to help with the organisation, or you could ask a friend to act as a point of contact for your guests.

It is important to keep in mind that traditional Italian weddings tend to be held during the day and won't run into the evening, so if you are planning on having a late-night celebration with live music and dancing, you will need to check that your venue allows this.

Finding a wedding venue

When planning a wedding in Tuscany, it's important to allow at least a year for the planning process. This will give you time to find a venue and contact vendors.

There are many types of ceremonies that can be organised in Tuscany, from legally binding civil weddings to symbolic ones. If you want a legally binding ceremony, there are wedding venues with permission to host civil weddings outdoors.

If you're planning on having guests stay on the wedding venue property, it's worth checking if they can accommodate this. Some venues may allow guests to stay in camper vans, for example.

When choosing a venue, it's also important to consider the time of day you want your wedding to take place. Traditional Italian weddings tend to be held during the day and don't run into the evening, so if you're planning on having a late-night celebration with live music and dancing, you'll need to check that your venue can accommodate this.

Hiring a wedding planner can make the process of finding a venue much easier, as they will have knowledge of Tuscany and can suggest venues based on your budget, style and requests. They can also act as a point of contact for your guests, along with the venue owner or manager, and help with any language barriers.

Hiring a wedding planner

Planning a wedding in Tuscany is an exciting prospect, but it can also be a daunting task. Hiring a wedding planner can make the organisation of your wedding much easier, but there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing one.

Firstly, you should allow a minimum of one year upfront to start planning your wedding. This will give you time to find a wedding venue and contact vendors, including a wedding planner. When choosing a wedding planner, it is important to select someone with knowledge of Tuscany and Italian customs, laws and regulations. They will act as your proxy with your venue and providers, so it is crucial that they understand the local culture and language.

A professional wedding planner will have selected the best wedding providers and can suggest different options depending on your budget, style and requests. They will also be able to help you navigate any legal requirements for your ceremony, whether you choose a legally binding or symbolic one.

In addition to their practical knowledge, your wedding planner can also serve as a point of contact for your guests. This is especially useful if your guests have questions about the area, as it will allow you to focus on other wedding-related tasks. When choosing a wedding planner, look for someone who is organised, detail-oriented and able to communicate effectively with you and your guests.

Choosing a date

When planning a wedding in Tuscany, it is important to consider the date carefully. Firstly, you should allow a minimum of one year upfront to start with the planning. This will give you time to find a wedding venue and contact vendors, such as a wedding planner or photographer. You should also keep in mind that all your guests should be available on your chosen date.

Traditional Italian weddings tend to be held during the day and do not run into the evening, so if you are planning a late-night celebration with live music and dancing, be sure to check that your venue allows this. You will also need to choose whether your ceremony will be legally binding or symbolic. If you want your marriage to be legally binding, there are many wedding venues in Tuscany with permission to celebrate civil weddings outdoors.

It is also worth considering the time of year and the weather when choosing your date. Tuscany has a typically Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and cool winters. You may also want to consider any public holidays or festivals that could impact your wedding date.

Finally, if you are planning to stay in Tuscany for an extended period, it may be worth bringing your own car to save on rental costs. Some guests may also choose to stay in camper vans on the wedding venue property, which can be a convenient and cost-effective option.

Transport and accommodation

When planning a wedding in Tuscany, it is recommended that you allow a minimum of one year upfront to start with the planning. This will give you time to find a wedding venue and contact vendors, such as a wedding planner or photographer.

If you are travelling to Tuscany by car, it is worth noting that having your own car will be convenient if you plan to stay for a longer period, saving you the hassle of renting one. If you are coming from Germany, Switzerland, Austria or France, driving is a good option. It is also possible for guests to stay in camper vans on the wedding venue property, which allows them to stay close to the celebration.

If you are travelling by plane, you can fly into Florence, Pisa or Rome. From there, you can hire a car or take a train to your final destination in Tuscany.

When choosing a wedding venue, there are many options for legally binding civil weddings outdoors in the beautiful Tuscan landscape. Traditional Italian weddings tend to be held during the day and do not run into the evening, so be sure to check that your venue will allow late nights if this is something you are planning.

It is also a good idea to appoint someone as the FAQ person or point of contact for guests to go to with questions. This could be your wedding planner, the venue owner or manager, or a friend who knows Tuscany and speaks Italian.

Frequently asked questions