A Romantic Wedding in Italy

Italy provides one of the world's most romantic wedding venues, and is fast becoming a favorite place to get married - the romance, the food, the climate - and it's easily accessible for family and friends traveling from the UK.

But the most important thing to remember is - it's easy!

If neither of you speak Italian, it's a good idea to find a wedding planner - somebody who can liaise with all the right people to make sure that your wedding is a day to remember.

There are two aspects to your day - the wedding ceremony, and the party - whether that be a simple meal in a restaurant, or dancing the night away to whatever type of music takes your fancy.

Most people come to Italy for a civil, rather than a religious, wedding - and in most areas this has to take place legally in the town hall. But many people keep this to a very low key affair, and then choose a lovely location - such as a beautiful old villa, an outdoor location or a seaside venue - for their 'wedding'. Some local councils are very accommodating. They will invite the bride and groom with a couple of witnesses into the mayor's office, and without too much ceremony, they will marry the couple. The next day (or another day of their choice - even the same day) the mayor will come to the 'wedding' location and repeat the whole ceremony - only this time, the bride is dressed for a wedding, the venue is full of flowers, there is music, readings or specially written vows exchanged by the couple. This is the wedding that the guests are invited to, and everything - from the arrival of the bride to the party at the end of the evening - can all take place in a single location.

But then some people just love the idea of getting married in one of the delightful town halls, usually situated in a wonderful old piazza, and more often than not they are historic buildings in their own right. The guests come to the town hall and experience real Italy - and then back to the venue of choice for the celebration.

The legal proceedings are quite straightforward - but if you don't speak Italian, this is when you do need some help. First of all, you have to get a Certificate of No Impediment from your local registrar. This is very straightforward - you only have to ask. You need to get this about three months before your wedding. It's simply a document that says there is nothing to prevent you from getting married. If you send this to your planner, she will arrange for the appropriate British Consulate here in Italy to issue something called a Nulla Osta - which is the Italian equivalent of the Certificate of No Impediment. This is then taken to the town hall, and they create all the paperwork before your big day. In some cases, you might be told that you need to be in Italy a few days in advance, but normally if your planner has everything in hand, that isn't strictly necessary. At the end of the marriage ceremony, you will be presented with a marriage certificate (which is far more elaborate than a British one) and - if your planner has done her job properly - you will also get a number of copies of a translation document. You can use this if ever you need to present your marriage certificate in England.

Once you are married - it's on to the wedding party!

Weddings in Italy - for Italians - are very elaborate affairs. It's not unusual to have two hundred or more guests, and the food goes on forever. It really is the meal that is the highlight of the event, and until you have experienced an Italian wedding, it's difficult to describe the incredible quantity and quality of food on offer. Non Italian weddings tend to be smaller - but no less romantic.

In the summer months it can be hot - and so weddings normally take place in the late afternoon. As soon as the ceremony is over, the Prosecco and canapés are on offer. Guests mingle, choose from the numerous trays of delicious nibbles - stuffed olives, marinated salmon, crispy fried cheese, tiny vegetable tarts - the list goes on. Photographs may be taken at this point, and the photographer will probably mingle with the crowd, taking pictures 'reportage' style together with any formal shots that the bride and groom would like.

Then it's on to the antipasti. When we organise weddings ourselves, the antipasti is always in a slightly different part of the gardens - perhaps on a pool terrace. Tables are heaving with plates of meat, fish, cheese and vegetables - perhaps an individual glass of Italian gazpacho with a skewer of roasted vegetables, or smoked turkey with a pepper and melon salad. Depending on the number of guests, there can be ten or more different selections on the antipasti table, and they are normally served buffet style, with guests finding a table by the pool or in the shade of a tree.

And then ... dinner! The formal part of the meal might be served under an open sided gazebo, but normally at large round tables, beautifully decorated with flowers and candles. The dinner starts with pasta or risotto courses - and often both. It is a leisurely affair, and the wine flows freely. The main course can be meat, fish, or vegetarian - and in some cases there are two main courses separated by a sorbetto. If, by then, you haven't eaten enough - dessert isn't just a single plate - it's another feast, with a buffet table laden with a mouth watering choice of options - semifreddo, ice cream cake, mousse, tiramisu, fruit. This is what a wedding in Italy is all about. See the wedding gallery at for an idea of the food, the setting and the ambiance of a romantic wedding in Italy.

And then there is a chance to dance the night away - but it will, without a doubt, be a wedding to remember in a country which, above all, loves romance.

About the Author

Sheila Rodgers is the owner and manager of Real Italy Limited, a company dedicated to providing holidays and romantic weddings in the stunning Le Marche region of Italy. The wedding venue is a large Italian villa in the heart of Le Marche, and weddings take place in the small chapel adjoining the villa.