Here are our top picks to help you choose your dreamy wedding location. Intimate or in high style, by the sea or under the sea?
Are you craving a fairy-like wedding in Italy but presume you need George and Amal Clooney's bank account to make your dream come true? Think twice! All you need is a little organisation, a lot of patience and the right guide to help you choose the most suitable location for your needs.
Not only the mainstream classics of the Italian wedding but also unusual and intimate venues to celebrate your union. With a focus on sustainability for both environment and budget.
5. Wedding on the beach and... under the sea
But also on a sailing boat or in a scenic location close to the Mediterranean. For many couples, a wedding on the beach is the ultimate romantic dream, and you don't necessarily need to spend a fortune to organise the perfect party to frame your I-do moment.
Sardinia is one of the most popular regions for wedding tourism. Finding your own piece of paradise along its 1,897 kilometres of coastline is child's play. The island offers breathtaking sea views to surprise your guests in an ancient land rich in traditions and gastronomic treasures.
Sink your bare feet into the sand while drinking a glass of Cannoau wine hand-in-hand with your sweetheart and surrounded by the affection of your closest friends. Choose Alghero, the so-called little Barcelona, or Stintino, with its pristine Mediterranian nature.
If you and your sweetheart are still feeling energetic the next day, set off to explore the area and enjoy the view of Piana island and the Asinara national park. In the south, Pula is a little gem ideal for a destination wedding with all the trimmings.
We move on to Liguria for a decidedly unusual alternative to the formal ritual, one that diving enthusiasts will appreciate. San Fruttuoso beach is an exceptional place to lie in the sun in the shadow of an imposing XI-century Benedictine monastery. What makes it even more exceptional? Betrothed can dive to celebrate a symbolic wedding under the sea in front of the submerged statue of Christ, Il Cristo degli Abissi.
A wedding in Sorrento Coast is ideal for those imagining an exquisitely Italian ceremony. Storied villages overlooking the sea with their irresistible mix of glamour and tradition offer the backdrop.
If you move in advance and in a targeted way, we promise you'll enjoy all the charm of these locations without breaking your budget. Not only the fashionable Positano, Ravello, Amalfi, Maiori, but also Vico Equense, Piano di Sorrento, Meta, Sant'Agnello or Massa Lubrense.
4. Say I do in a historic village
Whether you're having a cosy, intimate wedding or you're planning to go all out, a historic village or a city of art is an ideal location for an unforgettable wedding.
You'll feel a bit like Romeo and Juliet (but we all hope for a better ending) as you pledge your undying love in Verona, on Juliet's famous balcony. The city of love is an enchanting setting perfect for a ceremony and with plenty of super romantic locations to choose from: villas, historical palaces and relais.
Not far from Verona, Valeggio sul Mincio is an enchanted village, small but full of attractions, featuring Palladian buildings, ancient watermills and stunning gardens like the unmissable Parco Giardino Sigurtà.
Staying on the subject of ill-fated love affairs, Gradara, in the Marche region, is a place of ancient charm, mainly renowned for the poignant story of Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini. The two lovers have inspired Italian painting, poetry and literature, from Dante to D'Annunzio. If you fancy the idea of a themed wedding, you could even recreate the medieval or renaissance atmosphere with appropriate music and dance to live a memorable trip back in time.
Between Bologna and Modena, Vignola is one of the most characteristic towns in Emilia Romagna. It is famous for its cherries, but its lovely historic centre, castle and well-preserved buildings make it a real gem.
Undecided about flower arrangements? You won't have that problem in Spello, where flowers are the very frame of the quiet Umbrian town. Not only do they colour the house balconies, but they literally invade the streets of the centre during the annual Infiorata, a lively and colourful event involving skilled artists in the creation of authentic art compositions.
3. An intimate and eco-friendly wedding in an enchanted valley
The Italian countryside offers postcard-perfect views and idyllic locations surrounded by greenery waiting to be explored. You just need to be thorough in your research to organise the ceremony of your dreams without compromising on the scenery, food and experiences you have always dreamed of for your wedding.
Valle di Comino, in the heart of Ciociaria, is one of those places that enter your heart. The valley is an astonishing green oasis that embraces vast hilly landscapes and hospitable villages impassive to the passage of centuries.
Marvel at the mysterious Cyclopean walls of Atina and relax in the setting of Lake Posta Fibreno, an unspoilt reserve that will leave you speechless. The ski slopes of Prati di Mezzo and Forca d'Acero are nearby, and whether rock climbing is your thing, you'll find the right spots in Picinisco and Le Gole del Melfa. Do you prefer flying? Try paragliding and hang-gliding.
As for the celebrations, we recommend dream locations perfectly set in the verdant tranquillity of Valle di Comino. A reception in Valle dell'Aquila, for example, will appeal to even the most demanding guests.
The large spaces of this delightful 4-star eco-friendly hotel are all made of natural and bio-compatible materials. Places like Valle dell'Aquila will make your special day even more unique, as much for the enchanting landscape as for the attention to detail, the care of the furnishings and the excellent local cuisine.
There are many tourist attractions to point out to your guests in the surrounding area: the abbeys of Montecassino and Casamari, the Castle of Vicalvi or the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Arpino, to name but a few.
2. Wedding in the woods
Have you ever considered getting married in a forest? You won't have to worry too much about decorations, because the scenery is already provided by nature. Make sure to choose a flat terrain, so you don't have to walk on a slope, and select a location easily accessible to your guests.
As for religious weddings, look for groves near small country churches or go for historic residences, villas and castles with adjoining estates to host everything from the celebration to the party and overnight stays.
In Molise, you will find peace and beauty in a fantastic backdrop full of alluring green areas ideal for a romantic, boho-chic event. Forests and perched villages surrounded by greenery dot the region. Don't miss a visit to the sanctuary of Castelpetroso: the 19th-century neo-Gothic minor basilica looks almost like a Disney castle - who knows, maybe you'll want to get married there.
Marriage at a high altitude? Rocca Calascio, the village of Ladyhawke (remember the film starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Rutger Hauer?) will win you over with its breathtaking views and rustic atmosphere typical of the Abruzzo mountains.
And if you want to go even higher, a fairytale effect is guaranteed in Valle d'Aosta. All you have to do is let yourself be inspired by the white splendour of the Alpine peaks: mountain huts, castles, hot-air balloons or, why not, parachutes.
1. A wedding on the wine roads
To give your special day an unmistakable Italian feel, think about a wedding in the vineyards, choosing the location of your dreams in the regions famous for producing the most beloved and valuable wines.
Ideal for intimate weddings with just a few participants, as well as for a more dynamic and festive ceremony, this kind of party will delight both the eyes and the palate. Just be careful not to overdo it with toasts!
Langhe-Roero and Monferrato, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014, are among the most romantic destinations for a wedding in Piedmont. The backdrop of hills and slopes planted with vines, ancient churches and vineyards are perfect for welcoming your guests. Set up an open-air banquet with a view of the Piedmontese hills, enjoy local cuisine and toast with Barbera, Barolo, Barbaresco or Nebbiolo.
A destination wedding in the Chianti hills, in centuries-old villas, scenic estates and historic buildings, surely makes you dream! Imagine a summer walk through the wine cellars and vineyards of Tuscany, where the rows of vines are full of grapes, and the landscape is enchanting, made just for your photoshoot.
Look out over the sea in Pantelleria while the Unesco World Heritage Site of Zibibbo vines surrounds you for a buffet of perfect food and wine pairings. Alternatively, lunch or dine in a Nerello Mascalese vineyard close to Etna. There are plenty of possibilities, let your taste guide you and... congratulations from Visit Italy.
