Italian weddings - ideas for the perfect ceremony in Italy

Book for an Italian Wedding - UK - USA

If you imagine getting married under a blue Mediterranean sky in a land of romance and excitement, the obvious choice is to have an Italian wedding. Italy is one of the most popular overseas destinations for wedding ceremonies, and this is in spite of the difficult bureaucracy that most couples encounter when arranging their dream wedding there. Make planning your big day much easier by organising things well in advance, and the Italian Embassies advise that you work with specialist agencies rather than try to plan the details independently.

There are broadly two different types of wedding options in Italy — either a civil or religious ceremony. Unlike countries such as the UK or US, a church ceremony does not automatically mean that you are married by law. If you are intending to have a church wedding, it is highly likely that you will need to have a separate legal marriage ceremony. However, some companies claim that this is not always the case. WeddingsItaly.com explain that they can organise a religious wedding which also has legal validity, but discuss your requirements with any agency very carefully.

Some regions in Italy are especially delightful, and lend themselves perfectly to romantic wedding destinations. Florence, the home of Michelangelo, is world-renowned for its beautiful art, architecture and history. Civil ceremonies take place in Florence's Town Hall, the stunning Sala Rossa (Red Hall) in the Palazzo Vecchio. Catholic weddings can be held in a Renaissance church in the centre of town, and any other denominational wedding can also be held at a variety of grand villas, castles or gardens.

If you are keen to marry in the heart of the Italian countryside, there is no better place than Chianti in the region of Tuscany. Famous for its red wine, Chianti is surrounded by vineyards, cypresses and olive groves. You could choose from an array of medieval farmhouses or villas in which to hold your civil ceremony, or choose one of the quaint churches that are scattered around the region.

The city of canals and romance, Venice, is a very popular choice for Italian weddings. Places to tie the knot include the terrace of a Venetian palace overlooking the Grand Canal, in the home of an Italian noble family, or even in one of the Renaissance museums. Gliding down the canals in a gondola as husband and wife will certainly make a lasting impression!

Ravello, on the Amalfi Coast is also a fantastic wedding location. Known as the ‘town of music’, a wedding here is an enchanting affair overlooking rolling hills, beaches and the sea. Civil ceremonies usually take place in the twelfth century hall, but you could also consider a villa or hotel on the coast.

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Italian Weddings