Planning an Italian Destination Wedding
Wedding Planning Guides
If you’re planning to have a destination wedding, we couldn’t think of a more beautiful and romantic place to do it than Italy. A country known for its art, ancient cities, amazing food, coastal views, and countless vineyards, there is something for everyone here, and there’s no doubt your family will love it too.
We’ve put together some of our favorite cities our clients have said “I Do” in, and put together some tips for you to plan your own destination wedding!
What time of Year to Get Married in Italy
April through June, as well as September and October tend to be the best months to explore Italy. With temperate weather, and smaller crowds, you’ll be able to traverse the streets easily, and see some of the most popular sights without being stuck behind the tourist crowds in the summer. August tends to be the hottest month, and the winter months can be cold and rainy in the North.
According to Thetuscanwedding.com, the summer months are the most popular time of the year to get married despite the hotter weather. We recommend visiting the country a couple of times prior to choosing a date.
In our own experiences in Italy, there really isn’t a bad time to go. The country is beautiful from coast to coast, from north to south, and everything in between. If you are choosing Italy as the location for your wedding, you will be hard pressed to make a mistake.
Cities to Get Married in Italy
We recommend starting your search for the perfect wedding photographer online. Sites like Wedding Wire and The Knot are great resources to browse wedding photographers in your area, see an overview of their style, and read reviews from past clients. Mark your favorites, and then do a deeper dive into the ones you really love.
Most photographers will have a blog on their website which will allow you to see even more of their work, and delve into a wedding day from beginning to end. While it’s great to know they can nail the posed bride and groom portraits on the wedding day, you’ll want to see what the rest of the day looks like from the details and getting ready shots in the morning, to the cake cutting at the end of the night. Pay attention to the work they showcase, if you’re only seeing work from one wedding or one specific part of the day, they may not have the level of experience you’re looking for.
Lake Como
Lake Como is the third largest Italian lake, and is one of the famous Italian destinations for couples. Lake Como is known for its romantic landscapes, picturesque shoreline views, quaint villages that line the lake, beautiful villas and lush gardens. It’s in close proximity to all Milan airports, and it will be easy for your guests to visit Milan, Verona, and Venice after you tie the knot.
We suggest they shop in Milan, which is the epicenter of Italian design and home to the world’s fourth largest cathedral, or jump on a gondola in Venice and sight-see through the famous canals. April through June, and September and October are the best months to visit Lake Como. There are a variety of stunning locations for civil and religious ceremonies here. Villa del Balbianello is of the most romantic Villas, with a panoramic terrace overlooking the lake.
Positano
Positano is the heart of the Amalfi Coast, and is famous for its colorful villas nestled in the mountainside overlooking the water. It’s a perfectly picturesque spot for your wedding.
Because it’s so close to the water, it’s best known for outstanding seafood cuisine. Couples who want to have a civil ceremony in Positano can get married on a gorgeous balcony overlooking the sea, and evening ceremonies are available as well. For couples that are looking to have a religious ceremony, The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is an excellent choice, and one of the finest churches on the Amalfi Coast.
The closest airport to Positano is only an hour away in Naples, and Rome is only three hours away! Positano is best to visit in March through October.
The Island of Capri
Capri is also located on the Amalfi Coast, and is famous for its crystal blue water, stunning beaches, and magical grottos. There are two towns on the Island, Capri and Anacapri.
Capri is lively and charming with elephant hotels, restaurants, and boutiques, while Anacapri is more secluded and perfect for an intimate wedding. Civil ceremonies are easy to plan on the island, though religious ceremonies can be a bit harder to plan here.
Catholic weddings can only be performed for residents of Sorrento, but there is a chapel for protestant weddings in Capri. May through mid-September is the best time to get married here. Winter weddings aren’t advised on the island, as rough seas can cause logistical difficulties.
Ravello
Ravello is also located on the Amalfi coast, and has some of the finest views of all. More intimate and secluded than even Capri and Positano, it is outside the main tourist destinations, and offers some of the best panoramic ocean views in Italy.
Ravello has stunning palaces, lush gardens, and private villas for civil ceremonies, as well as Romanesque churches for religious weddings. September is known to be the best month for weddings in Ravello.
Venice
is one of the most unique cities in the world. A floating city with no driveable streets, you can traverse the city through canals in water buses or private romantic gondolas. With narrow alleyways and historical architecture, Venice is a dream for couples who are looking for a romantic spot to say “I Do”.
It’s easy to put together a religious or civil ceremony here. Venice offers some of the most beautiful scenery for your wedding from stunning churches, grand palaces that have been converted to hotels, private villas, and lush gardens, couples can even exchange their vows in a gondola on the canals. There is no shortage of photo opportunities here. April through October are the best months for weddings in Venice.
Tuscany
The most reliable months for the best weather in Tuscany are May, June, and September. Castello di Vincigliata is a popular destination in Tuscany. A Medieval castle that has been returned to its splendor after extensive renovation, it’s now a popular place for weddings, overlooking Florence and featuring a view of rolling hills, castles, and vineyards. The Langhe area is also a popular destination for weddings in Tuscany, ripe with vineyards, rolling hills, and historic villas.
Portofino
Portofino is the perfect destination for couples looking for a glamorous wedding destination. Receptions in Portofino can be arranged in luxury villas and palatial hotels with sweeping views of the harbor and Mediterranen Sea, surrounded by the Italian countryside.
Portofino offers amazing options for civil, protestant, symbolic, Jewish, and Catholic weddings. The nearest airports are in Genova and Milano, about 2 hours away. April through October are the best months to get married in Portofino.
Rome
Rome is one of the most well-known cities in Italy, and is a stunning backdrop for a wedding. It’s actually the second most popular city for weddings in Italy aside from Venice. Rich with ancient architecture, famous monuments, and buzzing city life, the possibilities here are endless. There are multiple great options for religious and civil ceremonies here. Make sure to hire a great photographer, because the photo opportunities are endless. March to June and September and October are the best times to visit Rome.
The cost of planning an Italian Destination Wedding
Italy has a reputation of being an expensive travel destination. However we have traveled there many, many times and it’s 100% likely that the cost of your Italian Destination Wedding may be less expensive than having a local one. We highly recommend hiring a local wedding planner to be able to help plan logistics. For vendors that will require frequent communication or follow up after the event itself like photography and video, we recommend hiring a local vendor. Travel costs may make a local vendor like a wedding photographer a bit more expensive up front, but with the money you will save on a high guest count and expensive local venue you will more than make up for it.
In addition Italy is one of the most photographic countries on the planet. We have been there over 10 times and have photographed at many different venues. In fact, some of the most amazing images in Italy happen while walking on the streets of amazing cities like Rome.
We include a “Day After Session” with all of our Italian Destination Weddings, meaning we will plan a day of shooting after the wedding. Depending on your location we are able to take a train to some locations that are not on the normal path.
We can guarantee beautiful wedding pictures in Italy. To get a quote for your Italian destination wedding photography, use the link below.
What To Know Before You Go
As with any destination wedding, we recommend visiting the city you plan to get married in before the wedding! It’s always a great idea to get a feel for the culture and space where you’ll be having your wedding, and meet your vendors ahead of time. Hiring a local planner will allow you to easily coordinate the logistics of your event, and they’ll be able to connect you with vendors they know and trust. We recommend visiting our guide for planning a destination wedding for even more tips on planning your destination wedding. Happy planning!
