The 10 Best Places to Get Married in Italy
Planning to get married in Italy? Destination weddings are growing in popularity for couples who want to make their special day as memorable as possible. With heaps of ancient history, world-famous food and uneatable scenery, Italy has always been a top choice for those who want to get married in another country.
With so many iconic locations all offering different kinds of wedding experiences, trying to choose where to tie the knot in Italy can seem impossible. You may also be planning a honeymoon after the occasion, which can influence which part of the country you decide to host your big day in.
To help guide your decision, here’s our guide to the 10 best places in Italy to get married.
HOW TO GET MARRIED IN ITALY
Italy is often thought of as one of the most romantic countries in Europe, meaning that couples from all over the world decide to come and get married here. Whilst some forward planning is required, particularly if you’re organising a large event, getting married in Italy is relatively straightforward.
No matter where you come from, in order to get married in Italy you will need to provide legal proof of your and your partner’s identity. You will also require an affidavit from a consular office in your home country that states there is nothing legally stopping you from getting married there, along with an Atto Notorio document that has been signed by two witnesses to prove the same thing.
As with any marriage, you will also need to procure a legal declaration of intent to marry, which will go to the marriage office of the Italian town or city you plan to be married in. The notification of your marriage must be posted at least two weeks before it takes place, so this needs to be done well in advance.
If you are having a civil wedding ceremony, it can take place in any indoor or outdoor location that has been approved by the Italian authorities. There are plenty of popular wedding venues across the country that are well prepared for hosting foreign weddings and will be able to provide you with all the necessary information.
Religious wedding ceremonies in Italy may require more planning, particularly Catholic ones which involve communication between your local church and the one you plan to marry in, along with other religious documents.
Sorting through the technicalities can sometimes be tricky, but often the hardest part of Italian wedding planning is deciding which part of the country you want to get married in! Below are our recommendations for some of the best places to say ‘I do’.
VENICE
Venice is the most popular place to get married in Italy for couples visiting from abroad. With its romantic narrow streets, beautiful canals and unique architecture, it’s an iconic part of the country that is perfect for intimate and stylish weddings.
There are plenty of gorgeous Gothic and Byzantine buildings and churches in Venice to host your special day, along with a multitude of glamorous hotels that are experts in helping to organise and host weddings of all sizes. A more extravagant option is to get married on one of the tiny, nearby islands and enjoy total privacy and the luxury of having a whole venue for yourself and your guests.
Finally, a bonus of getting married in Venice is that your wedding photos are likely to be outstanding. Dramatic shots on the bridges, canals and even a gondola? Yes please.
LAKE COMO
Lake Como in the Lombardy region is well known as being one of the most beautiful Italian locations, so it’s no surprise that it’s also one of the most romantic places in Italy to get married. Plenty of couples from all over come to the towns and villages that surround Lake Como to tie the knot and have their special day surrounded by stunning scenery.
This location should be a top choice if you’re looking for whimsical beauty and romance for your wedding, with popular venues including the many spectacular villas that are found on the shore of the lake and provide an incredible backdrop for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies. Lake Como’s popular venues offer the perfect fairytale settings, with many couples choosing to get married in the spring when the weather is mild and the scenery is in full bloom.
Another highlight of getting married in Lake Como is that you can then embark on a classic honeymoon touring the Italian Lakes, which is one of the best options for newlyweds seeking a romantic vacation in Italy.
CAPRI
Many people view Capri as a classic Italian honeymoon destination, but it’s also a great place for a wedding. A paradise island with whitewashed houses and miles of deep blue sea and sky everywhere you look, it’s a truly stunning location for couples who want a slice of both the Mediterranean and Italian lifestyle to influence their special day.
Capri is an ideal place for an outdoor wedding in the summer, whether you want to be overlooking the ocean on the coast or in one of the glamorous hotels that are scattered across the island. The views from many popular wedding locations in Capri are spectacular, and if you’ve always wanted to get married at sunset then this is one of the best places in the world to make that dream come true.
If you and your partner are looking for a stunningly romantic place to get married in Italy then Capri is a wonderful choice for outstanding views, beachside venues and picture-perfect scenery.
ROME
As the country’s best-known vacation destination, Rome is a top choice for where to get married in Italy. It’s a great choice for both church weddings and civil ceremonies that can take place in the many villas, gardens and ancient buildings on the edges of the city, with a massive range of options suitable for couples with any budget.
If you and your partner are big fans of history then getting married in Rome is an excellent way to commemorate your special day in one of the most historic and romantic places on the planet. It’s definitely worth hiring a wedding photographer who knows the city well so you can take photos beside all of the city’s most famous landmarks for an outstanding wedding album.
Whether you’re after a grand event that draws on the beauty of ‘the eternal city’ or a more quirky occasion that blends old and new, Rome is one of the top places to get married in Italy.
AMALFI COAST
If you’re after a glamorous wedding with a unique Italian twist then there is no better wedding location than the Amalfi Coast. With a reputation as one of the most beautiful and sophisticated vacation destinations in Italy, it’s one of the country’s most popular places to get married.
There are plenty of destinations along the Amalfi Coast that offer a range of wedding experiences, from the luxurious opulence of Positano to coastal towns Minori and Maiori and dramatic Ravello perched up on the cliffs. You can enjoy outstanding local cuisine, beautiful coastal scenery and a sense of being away from the hustle and bustle of central Italy, which is ideal for creating a special and romantic atmosphere.
The Amalfi Coast is also a wonderful place for unique wedding photos, particularly if you’re staying in an area with classic, multi-coloured houses tumbling down the cliffs towards the sea.
VERONA
Of course, one of the best places to get married in Italy was going to be the setting of Shakespeare’s famous romantic tragedy. Romeo and Juliet might not have had the happiest of endings after their wedding, but that doesn’t stop hundreds of couples from coming to Verona every year to tie the knot in the famous city.
Verona is an incredible historical location that offers lots of fantastic buildings to host your wedding and take brilliant photos outside of after you have tied the knot. Surrounding Verona is beautiful countryside scattered with classic Italian farmhouse buildings and villas that also make fantastic wedding reception venues.
If you and your partner are big fans of literature or theatre, then Verona is one of the top places to get married in Italy.
ALBEROBELLO
The town of Alberobello is one of the most famous places in the region of Puglia, best known for its distinctive ‘trulli’ huts that are characterised by their circular white walls and conical roofs. It’s a truly unique part of Italy to host a wedding and promises stunning scenery and memorable wedding photos no matter where you decide to get married in the town.
Both church weddings and civil ceremonies can take place in Alberobello, or it can be an ideal place to host a unique wedding reception. With outstanding views of Puglia’s rolling countryside around you and the chance to enjoy the region’s famous local cuisine, it’s perfect for quirky couples looking for an Italian wedding with a bit of a difference.
SICILY
Another brilliant location that merges Italian and Mediterranean culture is Sicily. This is one of the top places to get married in Italy no matter your budget or dreams for your special day, with a huge variety of different venues across the island and plenty of travel and accommodation options for your guests.
If you’ve been dreaming of a beautiful island wedding then Sicily is full of different places to get married, no matter whether you’re planning your big day in the spring, summer or autumn. Sicily’s warm climate means that you can be pretty certain that you’re going to get good weather for your wedding, making it a brilliant place to get married outdoors on the beach.
The town of Taormina is one of the most popular places to get married in Sicily, but if you’re after something a bit more special and remote then you’ll find tons of historic venues and stunning coastal locations to choose from.
SARDINIA
Sardinia is another island location on the coast of mainland Italy that offers beautiful scenery with exceptional beaches and a Mediterranean climate. If you’re after an Italian wedding beside the sea or even one that takes place on the sand itself, you’re in the right place.
The island of Sardinia has long been known as one of Italy’s best destinations for a vacation full of new experiences, with busy towns and cities providing outstanding catering and venue options for couples as well as more remote locations offering a more exclusive experience. It’s a great place to get married if you’ve got a bigger budget and want to go all out on your special day, with plenty of resorts and luxury hotels offering packages that will make your wedding unforgettable.
FLORENCE
Finally, the heart of Tuscany is our final recommendation for the top places to get married in Italy. Florence is a city that has been praised for centuries for its beauty, charm and timeless elegance, making it a wonderful place for a sophisticated and special wedding.
The Tuscan countryside around Florence is also an incredibly popular place for an Italian wedding, with plenty of traditional villas and trattorias providing the perfect venue for a rustic experience. The region is known for its brilliant cuisine and wine, so if you’re a couple who is serious about food then getting married in Florence is a brilliant way to ensure you and your guests enjoy some of Italy’s best flavours.
From medieval churches and city buildings to the rustic farmhouses and holiday accommodation options around the edge of Florence, there are plenty of options for weddings in this part of Italy that suit a wide range of tastes and budgets.
Many couples decide to combine their destination wedding with an Italian honeymoon, and Italy4Real is the perfect choice for a travel provider who can offer you the romantic vacation of a lifetime. If you’re planning a wedding or honeymoon in Italy and want a unique experience on your trip, get in touch with our team and find out more about how we can help.
