Italy Destination Wedding Guide

In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning or attending a destination wedding in Italy.

Weddings in Italy: What You Need To Know

Italy is one of the most popular destination wedding locations in the world, and it’s not hard to see why.

From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the dramatic coastline of Amalfi, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful country.

With so many idyllic settings to choose from, it’s no wonder that more and more couples are saying “I do” in Italy.

And of course, let’s not forget the food – Italian cuisine is world-renowned for its richness and flavor, and your guests will enjoy feasting on all of their favorite dishes.

Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand affair, a destination wedding in Italy is sure to be an event that your guests will remember for years to come.

But first: you need to know where in the world Italy is…

Where is Italy?

Italy is located in south-central Europe occupying the boot-shaped Apennine Peninsula, which extends from the southern Alps in the north to the central Mediterranean Sea in the south. Islands of Sicily, Sardinia and a number of smaller islands also belong to Italy.

In the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and its north-east border is with Slovenia. Italy completely surrounds the microstates of San Marino and Vatican City.

Area: 116,629 sq mi (302,068 sq km), Population: (2022 est.) 58,426,000, Capital: Rome.

Italy Facts To Know:

  • Language: Italian
  • Currency: Euro (EUR)
  • Airports: Rome Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino (FCO), Milan Malpensa (MXP), Bergamo-Orio al Serio (BGY)
  • Official Tourism Website:https://www.italia.it/en
  • Driving side: Right

Below you will find some more useful information about visiting Italy for your special day:

4 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in Italy

Planning a wedding can be stressful. Planning a destination wedding can be even more stressful!

But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips and things you need to know for planning a destination wedding in Italy:

1. Choose a date that works for both you and your guests

Choosing a wedding date can be a daunting task, whether you are planning on getting married in Italy or closer to home.

You want to make sure that you pick a date that works for both you and your guests.

Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding date:

2. Decide on a budget

When it comes to having a Italy wedding, there are a lot of different factors that come into play – from the guest list to the venue.

But one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much you’re willing to spend.

Here are some tips on how to decide on a budget for your wedding:

3. Find a venue that fits your vision and budget

No one ever said wedding planning was easy. In fact, it can often feel downright daunting.

Here’s some useful resources for finding a wedding venue in Italy:

4. Hire a wedding planner to take care of the details

A wedding planner can take care of everything for you, from booking vendors to creating a timeline for the day.

Here are some tips on how to find and hire the right planner for your big day in Italy

Italy Weddings: Key Information

Getting married abroad is a big decision. There’s a lot of things you need to be aware of if you want your big day to run smoothly.

To help, we have put together some useful information about getting married in Italy:

  • What is the average cost of a wedding in Italy?
  • What are the marriage requirements for Italy?
  • What is the weather like in Italy?
  • What should you pack for a trip to Italy?
  • What things are there to do in Italy?
  • What are the best Italy wedding venues?

Read on to find out more:

How Much Does a Wedding in Italy Cost?

  • A revenue stamp for the Dichiarazione Giurata/Nulla Osta is €16.
  • Two revenue stamps for the Atto Notorio or Sworn Affidavit are €16 (only necessary for U.S. and Australian citizens).
  • An application for the Atto Notorio is €10,62.
  • An application for the Nulla Osta is €50.
  • A rush fee is €31,86 for the Atto Notorio (if applicable).
  • You will be required to pay a rental fee for the wedding hall, which varies by location, season, and day of the week, and it is between €500 and €9,200.

Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Italy

When applying for a marriage license, you will need to provide the following documents:

  • Valid passport.
  • A Certificate of No Impediment (Nulla Osta) is required.
  • Birth certificate no older than 6 months.
  • If you have already been married, provide the relevant documentation to demonstrate that you are either divorced or widowed.
  • Name change document – generally all names on all documents need to match (including your parents’ names), otherwise proof of name change needs to be shown.

You should submit all the above listed documents to the Marriage Office (Ufficio Matrimoni) of the town hall (municipio) in the city where the marriage will take place, and make a “Declaration of Intention to Marry” (Dichiarazione di Matrimonio) before a civil registrar (ufficiale di stato civile).

Other legal requirements are:

  • To apply for a marriage license, one must be at least 18 years old.
  • You should apply for the marriage license at least 2 or 3 days prior to the ceremony, however, depending on your nationality and city of your marriage, you may need to be in Italy at least 10 days before getting married. Note that there might be waiting lists to get married at a certain wedding hall.
  • The license is valid for 6 months from the issue date.
  • Two witnesses are needed, and a translator if you are foreign (regardless if you speak Italian or not). A witness cannot serve as a translator.
  • All international paperwork has to be translated into Italian by an official translator. It is mandatory that they be authenticated with an Apostille stamp from your home country first so it can be legalized for use in Italy.
  • Under Italian law, all public documents originating from outside the EU are considered valid for 6 months from the date of issue.
  • Italy recognizes both religious and civil wedding ceremonies.
  • If you are female and have previously been married your wedding cannot occur until 300 days after your marriage was annulled.
  • If a Roman Catholic priest conducts a religious wedding ceremony, it is regarded as legitimate. The priest will file the marriage license with the civil authority so no additional civil ceremony is required.

For a complete list of required paperwork and information on how many days in advance of the ceremony they must be submitted, please contact the Registrar’s Office at the town hall where you want to be married. On this link you can find a complete list of town halls in Italy.

Before making any wedding or travel preparations, make sure you have all the paperwork needed for your marriage to be recognized in your home country by checking with the local county clerk or marriage official where you intend to marry.

What you need to have in your possession before leaving the country is a legal document that can confirm that your marriage is legitimate and has been registered – the marriage certificate.

You will be issued an international wedding certificate; however if you wish more than one copy you will need to request this in advance.

What Is The Weather Like in Italy?

Spring and fall are ideal times to visit Italy, namely between the middle of April and the middle of June, and in the month of September.

However, some wet days are likely during both periods. It is possible for the months of July and August, as well as the latter part of June, to be hot and humid.

In August, there are many tourists and many mosquitoes, and also the canals in Venice do not always smell well. The summer is a wonderful time to explore the Alpine region and to go hiking in the surrounding mountains.

What should you pack for your trip?

In the winter: 

You should pack a sweater, down jacket, hat, gloves, scarf, and raincoat or umbrella for a trip to Milan, the Po Valley, or the Apennines in the winter. Bring along some warm clothing, such as a sweater, a coat, and either a raincoat or an umbrella for the cities of Florence and Rome, which are located in the middle of the country. Pack for the spring and fall in Palermo and the Sicilian coast, including a sweater, a jacket, and a raincoat. Pack appropriate gear for the mountains if you plan on visiting the Alps.

In the summer:

A T-shirt, sweatshirt or sweater, light jacket, and raincoat or umbrella are all good ideas to pack for a summer trip to the north, Milan, or Venice. Bring light clothes, a sun hat, a sweater for cold nights, particularly in June, and maybe an umbrella if you plan on spending time in the central regions, including Florence and Rome. Light clothes, a sun hat, and a sweatshirt for the evening are all you need in the south, especially in June.

Italy Weather By Month

Below you will find some useful information and handy tables of weather information to help you pick the best month to visit Italy:

Average Temperatures in Italy

The table below shows the average temperatures in Italy each month:

Month Min (°C) Max (°C) Mean (°C) Min (°F) Max (°F) Mean (°F)
January 0.4 7.6 4 33 46 39.2
February 1 9.3 5.2 34 49 41.3
March 4.6 13.4 9 40 56 48.3
April 8.8 17.6 13.2 48 64 55.8
May 13.6 22.3 18 56 72 64.3
June 17.5 26.3 21.9 63 79 71.4
July 19.3 28.9 24.1 67 84 75.3
August 19 28.8 23.9 66 84 75
September 14.9 24.1 19.5 59 75 67.1
October 10.6 18.7 14.7 51 66 58.4
November 59 13.1 9.5 43 56 49.1
December 1.2 8.4 4.8 34 47 40.7
Year 9.8 18.3 14 49.6 64.9 57

Average Rainfall in Italy

The table below shows the average rainfall in Italy each month:

Month Millimeters Inches Days
January 45 1.8 6
February 50 2 5
March 50 2 6
April 70 2.8 8
May 65 2.6 8
June 80 3.1 9
July 65 2.6 6
August 65 2.6 6
September 70 2.8 6
October 75 3 7
November 65 2.6 6
December 50 2 6
Year 750 29.5 79

Sunshine Hours in Italy

The table below shows the average sunshine hours in Italy each month:

Month Average Total
January 2.5 80
February 4 105
March 4.5 145
April 6 175
May 7.5 230
June 8 245
July 9.5 290
August 8.5 255
September 6.5 200
October 5 150
November 3 85
December 2.5 80
Year 5.6 2035

Sea Temperatures in Italy

The table below shows the average sea temperatures in Italy each month:

Month Celsius (°C) Fahrenheit (°F)
January 11.5 53
February 10 50
March 10.5 51
April 13.5 56
May 18 65
June 22.5 73
July 25.5 78
August 26 79
September 23 74
October 19.5 67
November 16.5 62
December 13.5 57
Year 17.6 63.7

What To Wear in Italy? (Packing Tips)

It can be difficult to know what to pack for your vacation. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for your trip.

We’ve put together some tips on what to wear in Italy so that you can make the most of your time there.

  • Comfortable shoes: Be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes, as you will likely do a lot of sightseeing.
  • Remember to pack a light jacket or sweater, as the evenings can be cool.
  • Camera: Don’t forget to pack your camera, as there will be plenty of beautiful scenery to capture.
  • Swimsuit: Don’t forget your swimsuit if you’re planning on visiting any of the many beautiful beaches or your hotel’s swimming pool.
  • Sunscreen: The Italian sun can be quite intense during the summer months.
  • Hat and sunglasses: A hat and sunglasses will help you in the hot Italian sunshine.
  • Passport: Other essential items to pack include a valid passport and any necessary visas.
  • Travel insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance that will cover you in case of any medical emergencies or lost baggage.
  • Chargers: Also, be sure to bring along any chargers and travel power adapters you’ll need for your electronic devices.
  • First-aid kit: It is also a good idea to pack a first-aid kit, in case of any minor injuries, and also any essential medications.

Things to Do in Italy

There are many different things to do in Italy, no matter what time of year you visit.

Here is a list of some of the top activities to enjoy during your stay:

Best Italy Wedding Venues & Hotels

With so many stunning locations to choose from, how do you know which is the best wedding venue in Italy?

Here are our picks for the top spots to tie the knot, as well as hotels to stay in:

Wedding Venues in Italy

  • Abbazia La Cervara in Portofino
  • Villa Il Balbiano in Lake Como
  • Villa Sola Cabiati in Lake Como
  • Il Pellicano in Tuscany
  • Il Riccio Beach Club in Anacapri
  • Villa Cimbrone in Ravello
  • Belmond Hotel Carusi in Ravello
  • Villa Treville in Positano
  • Borgo Santo Pietro in Tuscany
  • Borgo Stomennano in Siena
  • Borgo Finocchieto in Tuscany
  • Aman in Venice
  • Villa Aurelia in Rome

Hotels in Italy

  • Borgo Antico San Pantaleo
  • Borgo Castello Panicaglia in Nocera Umbra
  • Albergo Baschera in Fagagna
  • Villa Marengo Guest House in Spinetta Marengo
  • Hotel Punta Scario in Malfa
  • AlMolo5 in Oliveto Lario
  • Monroc Hotel in Commezzadura
  • Agriturismo Sarrabus in San Priamo
  • Casa Di Campagna In Toscana in Sovicille
  • Opera Boutique Rooms in Monreale
  • Teku Sardinia Boutique Hotel in Bari Sardo
Check out the full list here: 60+ Wedding Destination around the World

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