The extraordinary charm of Italy attracts more and more foreigners who decide to celebrate their wedding in the Bel Paese, choosing among the numerous exceptional locations it has to offer. A real boom which in 2022 counted over 11 thousand foreign weddings celebrated on the peninsula (source: Osservatorio Destination Weddings in Italy) who chose Italy not only for its landscapes but also for the hospitality of its inhabitants envied in Worldwide.
The hills of Tuscany, the canals of Venice, the beaches of Puglia, the sea views of the Amalfi Coast are just some of the places chosen to frame the most important day of the life of many spouses mostly coming from the United States and from European countries.
This trend takes the name of Destination Wedding, meaning that a couple chooses to say "yes" in a different place from where they live or from where their guests live. A union that therefore involves a journey, thus increasing the tourist presences connected to it.
But how to organize an international ceremony in Italy? Read our guide.
We know it takes months to plan a wedding, so imagine planning it from abroad. However, with good organization, nothing is impossible and the dream of getting married in Italy could get increasingly real.
CONTACT A WEDDING PLANNER
The first step to organize an international ceremony in Italy is to identify a wedding planner, a figure specialized in all aspects related to weddings. Being distant, it is advisable to have a trusted person to turn to who speaks Italian and who knows all the practical and bureaucratic aspects concerning a wedding in Italy, directing the spouses in the best possible way. How to choose a good wedding planner? Just pick the one you will immediately empathize with. They will be intense and emotional months, so it is important to have someone close to you who fully understands your needs and gives you confidence and serenity.
SEARCH AND BOOK THE VENUE
Once the wedding planner has been chosen, the next step concerns the choice of the venue. Wedding by the sea or by the lake? In a private villa or a luxury hotel? It is important to ask yourself about the type of wedding you would like to have, and consequently choose the most suitable place to celebrate it. Organizational aspects must then be considered: if a venue captures your heart but is located in a remote area, difficult to reach and where services are almost inexistent, it is better to discard it and opt for a more practical location. Talking about a “Destination Wedding”, it is also important to plan how to spend the days before and after the wedding: a strategic position allowing the guests to visit a corner of Italy may be the right choice.
RELIGIOUS OR CIVIL CEREMONY
Many foreigners mistakenly believe that a civil marriage cannot be celebrated in Italy, which is not true. So one of the first questions to ask yourself is what type of wedding you want. Whether you choose to get married in church, at the City Hall or with a symbolic ceremony on location, it is essential to set the date and contact the bodies and organizers well in advance to establish all the details.
DOCUMENTS AND LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
The bureaucratic aspects are as important as the organizational ones, and it is a good idea to find out in advance what documents are needed to get married in Italy. Generally, a passport, a sworn declaration of civil status, the authorization issued by the competent authorities of the country of origin and a residence permit or card certifying the regularity of the stay in Italy are required. All documents must be translated into Italian by an official translator and legalized with an apostille. All this is necessary to ensure that the marriage is also recognized in the country of origin. Remember, however, that the exact documentation may vary depending on the specific regulations of the region in which you wish to get married; therefore, it is always advisable to check with local authorities or an expert to ensure you have everything you need.
SET UP THE GUEST LIST
Do you have a large family or many friends you don't want to give up? Excellent, but first you need to test their availability to travel to Italy to take part in your wedding. Some may be afraid of flying, others may not have holidays available: it is therefore important to define a precise guest list in advance and communicate to your guests your desire to have them by your side, communicating whether you will be financing the trip.
PLAN LOGISTICS
The venue is found, the date is set, the guests are there too. The last aspects to think about are the logistical aspects, such as booking flights and hotels to avoid any last-minute bad surprises, especially if the chosen venue is particularly busy or you decide to get married in high season, when the flood of tourists is greater. For such a special day it is essential to take actions in time to secure the best flights and rooms to accommodate all guests.
CHOOSE CONTRACTORS
If you have chosen to rely on a wedding planner, he will be the one to propose possible candidates for each service. From the flowers to the music, to the photos: everything must be perfect, and this is not a given when organizing a long-distance wedding. Our advice is to opt for Italian suppliers with good knowledge of the area and who will know how to deal with any unexpected issue. Contact them in advance and discuss all the details with them, leaving nothing to chance.
CELEBRATION AND PARTY
One of the funniest parts of organizing a wedding is choosing the reception and related events. Opting for an Italian menu and traditional shows is an original idea to get closer to the local culture and offer your guests an authentic experience.
Alongside the more well-known destinations, some foreigners may wish to get married in an authentic and less frequented location, such as Modena, a gem of Emilia-Romagna enchanting with its historical heritage and its gastronomic excellence.
Surrounded by rolling hills, villages and castles, Modena offers evocative views suitable to celebrate your love. If you are a motor enthusiast, the Emilian city stands in the heart of the famous "Land of Motors" where the most important car manufacturers in the world such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati are located.
What can we say, then, about local products, such as Balsamic Vinegar of Modena and Parmigiano Reggiano which can sublime the table of your wedding banquet. Finally, the people of Modena stand out for their hospitality and friendliness, creating a cheerful and relaxed atmosphere that will involve all the guests and make your wedding day even more special.
Close and well connected to numerous Art cities, such as Florence, Venice and Rome, this choice will allow you to organize a romantic getaway with your guests in the days preceding or following the wedding.
If celebrating your wedding in Modena is your desire, Corte Leonardi, a rural villa with a warm and refined atmosphere surrounded by 10 hectares of vineyards, can be the perfect setting to swear eternal love in front of friends and relatives from every corner of the globe. The large indoor and outdoor spaces are ideal for your ceremony at any time of the year. And why not combine a unique experience inside the Antica Acetaia Leonardi to surprise your guests?
Long live the newly-weds!
Contact us to find out more or to request a personalized quote.
