It’s no surprise that Italy continues to be the number-one destination for couples looking to celebrate a wedding abroad. What might have seemed like a passing trend has actually turned into a full-blown phenomenon: wedding tourism. Every year, thousands of international couples choose to say “I do” right here in the Bel Paese. And it’s easy to see why, very few places in the world can blend centuries of history, incredible art, breathtaking landscapes, and world-class hospitality quite the way Italy does.
But Italy is so much more than just a “location.” It’s a mosaic of atmospheres, each city offering its own unique character. Think of the grandeur of Rome and its timeless monuments, the Renaissance elegance of Florence, the medieval charm of Siena, or the dreamy canals of Venice. Each setting has its own personality, and gives couples the chance to find the perfect backdrop that truly reflects their love story and style.
On the practical side, Italy has also made things remarkably easy for couples planning a luxury destination wedding. Over the last two decades, a whole ecosystem has developed around this industry: specialized agencies, multilingual wedding planners, high-end venues, and tailor-made services that take the stress out of planning. This makes Italy not only a stunning choice, but also a logistically smart one, especially for couples expecting a large number of guests.
Choosing Italy for your wedding means choosing more than just a spectacular setting. It’s about creating a full experience, for you and your guests. From the ceremony to the celebrations, from accommodations to unforgettable extras like wine tastings, cultural tours, and curated activities, every moment is designed to make the trip truly special. That’s why in this article, we’ll take you on a little tour of some of Italy’s most culturally, artistically, and gastronomically rich cities, the perfect places to host a luxury wedding.
Italy as a Luxury Wedding Destination
When it comes to luxury weddings, Italy stands out from the rest of Europe. Couples don’t just come here for the beauty of the venues, they choose Italy because of the impeccable service and attention to detail that perfectly match the expectations of those dreaming of an exclusive celebration. Here, you can rent entire Renaissance villas or historic palaces and tailor every single detail of your event to create something truly one of a kind.
One of Italy’s greatest strengths is the sheer variety of settings couples can choose from to stage their big day. Dreaming of a fairytale wedding? Rome or Venice are perfect. Looking for history and charm? Siena or Perugia might be the right fit. Want vibrant energy and a lively atmosphere? Naples delivers that in spades. This diversity allows couples to design a wedding that feels authentically theirs, without having to compromise on luxury, character, or convenience.
And of course, we can’t talk about weddings in Italy without mentioning food and wine, which often play a starring role. Many wedding planners say that international couples see the banquet as one of the highlights of the celebration. Michelin-starred chefs, menus showcasing local ingredients, and curated wine tastings become experiences that guests rave about long after the wedding. Picture a wedding dinner in Tuscany, for example, where every dish and glass of wine turns the evening into a true sensory journey through vineyards and tradition.
Finally, hospitality is a key part of what makes Italy so special. From five-star resorts to boutique hotels, venues across the country are used to welcoming guests from around the world. They offer world-class service, highly trained staff, and exclusive packages designed for unforgettable stays. Choosing Italy means giving your loved ones more than just a wedding day, it’s about offering them a collection of unique experiences, turning your love story into a shared memory they’ll treasure forever.
Read also: 13 Best Places To Get Married In Italy [2025]
Rome: Eternity as the Witness of Love
If there’s one city that perfectly blends love and art, it’s Rome. Known worldwide as the Eternal City, every street, square, and monument here tells a story of centuries filled with beauty, history, and creativity. For couples dreaming of a luxury destination wedding, Rome offers a stage that feels straight out of a movie, complete with landmarks recognized across the globe.
Think of the Colosseum, the city’s most iconic symbol, radiating timeless grandeur all on its own. Or picture the Spanish Steps, where Trinità dei Monti provides a stunning backdrop for elegant photos and videos. Then there’s the Pantheon with its flawless dome, and Piazza Navona, where Bernini and Borromini turned an urban square into a masterpiece of open-air Baroque art. For international couples, these names need no introduction, they’re global icons, and that’s exactly what makes Rome so extraordinary.
But Rome isn’t just a collection of monuments. It’s also home to world-class museums and art collections: the Borghese Gallery showcases masterpieces by Caravaggio and Canova, while the Vatican Museums offer couples and their guests the chance to experience the awe of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Choosing Rome means more than picking a venue, it’s about stepping into a cultural legacy that has defined art and beauty for centuries.
When it comes to venues, the variety is astonishing. Renaissance villas surrounded by lush gardens, aristocratic palaces with frescoed ballrooms, panoramic terraces overlooking the Roman Forum, every option allows couples to weave their personal story into the fabric of history itself. Even the city’s most charming neighborhoods, like Trastevere with its cobblestone alleys, offer a perfect backdrop for photos and videos that capture Rome’s most authentic side.
Florence: Timeless Renaissance and Romance
If Rome is the Eternal City, Florence is the “Cradle of the Renaissance.” For many international couples, the very name Florence instantly brings to mind art, beauty, and refinement. This isn’t just a city where you get married, it’s a place that gave birth to masters like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli, and holds works of art admired all over the world. Celebrating a wedding in Florence means stepping into this extraordinary tradition and giving your guests an experience rooted in the cultural history of humanity itself.
At the symbolic heart of the city stands the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, with Brunelleschi’s iconic dome dominating the skyline, a breathtaking frame for photos and videos. Just steps away, you’ll find Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery of San Giovanni with its famous “Gates of Paradise.” Every corner of Florence’s historic center feels designed to astonish, turning any wedding into an event that’s anything but ordinary.
Florence is also a city of museums: the Uffizi Gallery houses masterpieces like Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, while the Accademia Gallery is home to Michelangelo’s David, one of the most celebrated sculptures in the world. When it comes to venues, the city offers everything from historic palaces with frescoed halls – like Palazzo Vecchio – to villas nestled in the surrounding hills, where sweeping views of vineyards and olive groves set the quintessential Tuscan scene. In Florence, the city itself isn’t just a backdrop: it becomes an essential part of the wedding story, a true character accompanying the couple on their special day.
Siena: Medieval Intimacy and Tuscan Charm
Just a short drive from Florence, Siena offers a different side of Tuscany, more intimate, but no less captivating. If Florence is the Renaissance, Siena is the Middle Ages perfectly preserved, with cobblestone streets and squares that feel frozen in time. The city is best known for Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful squares in the world, celebrated internationally thanks to the Palio, the historic horse race that brings the city to life each year. For couples looking for an intimate, exclusive wedding with a one-of-a-kind atmosphere, Siena delivers settings you simply can’t replicate anywhere else.
The city’s churches and historic palaces are true artistic gems. The Siena Cathedral, with its striking Gothic façade of green and white marble and interiors filled with works by Donatello, Pisano, and Pinturicchio, makes a spectacular setting for religious ceremonies. For receptions, noble palaces like the Palazzo Pubblico and residences around Piazza del Campo can be rented, offering frescoed halls and enchanting courtyards.
Siena is also a city that thrives on details. Its narrow alleyways and red-brick facades create picture-perfect backdrops for elegant photos and videos, while the surrounding hills provide stunning venues in historic villas or luxury farmhouses. Here, couples can host receptions surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, ideal for a romantic yet private atmosphere.
And then there’s the food. Siena offers a truly authentic culinary experience: menus that feature traditional dishes like pici, wild boar, and pecorino cheese reimagined with a gourmet twist, paired with outstanding local wines. For international couples, this blend of history, art, and flavor is an incomparable value that elevates the entire wedding experience.
Venice: Elegance on the Water
Venice is a city that hardly needs an introduction. World-famous for its canals, gondolas, and one-of-a-kind architecture, it’s the perfect destination for couples seeking a luxury wedding steeped in art and history. There is simply no other city like Venice, and that alone explains the aura of exclusivity surrounding weddings celebrated here.
The Doge’s Palace, with its Gothic façade and interiors adorned with masterpieces by Tintoretto and Veronese, is among the most sought-after venues for civil ceremonies and lavish receptions. For couples dreaming of a religious wedding, St. Mark’s Basilica, with its golden mosaics, and the Church of Santa Maria della Salute offer breathtaking settings straight out of a film. Private palaces along the Grand Canal – many of which can be rented for luxury events – add to the sense of exclusivity, wrapping the celebration in art and history.
Venice is also a dream setting for wedding videography: gondolas gliding across the canals, graceful stone bridges, narrow alleyways, and car-free squares create scenes that simply can’t be replicated anywhere else. Many couples choose to capture their most precious moments at iconic spots like the Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Square, or on the islands of Murano and Burano.
The city is equally renowned for its craftsmanship and traditions. Venetian masks, Murano glass, and exquisite textiles add distinctive touches to a wedding, from place settings to custom-made gowns. And of course, the culinary scene lives up to the city’s reputation: historic restaurants and Michelin-starred chefs design menus that blend Venetian tradition with innovation, offering your guests an unforgettable dining experience.
Perugia and Umbria: The Green Soul of Italy
Perugia, the heart of Umbria, offers a completely different experience compared to Italy’s larger art cities. Here, time seems to slow down, winding through medieval streets, cobblestone squares, and beautifully preserved historic palaces. Corso Vannucci, with its stone facades and artisan boutiques, becomes the perfect runway for refined and authentic photo shoots, while the Palazzo dei Priori – with its Gothic architecture and frescoed interiors – provides an elegant setting for exclusive events.
Umbria is famous for its hilltop villages, abbeys, and castles. Take Assisi, for example: the Basilica of St. Francis, adorned with Giotto’s masterpieces, offers a spiritual and artistic backdrop unlike any other. Many couples choose villas and luxury resorts tucked into the Umbrian hills, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and historic gardens, where panoramic terraces and medieval cloisters set the stage for unforgettable, tailor-made celebrations.
Culturally, the region is a treasure trove of lesser-known yet priceless works, frescoes, sculptures, and religious art from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, many accessible only through private visits arranged by local wedding planners. This blend of luxury and exclusivity allows couples and their guests to discover hidden artistic gems far from the usual tourist paths.
And then there’s the Umbrian cuisine, known for its prized local specialties: truffles, cured meats, cheeses, and DOCG wines, which often become highlights of the wedding banquet. These are paired with bespoke gourmet menus designed by local chefs, creating a dining experience that celebrates the region’s authentic flavors. In Umbria, couples can combine visual beauty, cultural heritage, and culinary excellence into a complete sensory journey, all within the extraordinary setting of its rich artistic and historic landscape.
Naples: Passion, Sea, and Baroque Splendor
Naples offers a truly unique backdrop for couples who want a wedding that blends art, history, and a touch of Mediterranean energy. The city’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is filled with Baroque palaces, imposing churches, and picturesque alleyways that tell centuries of cultural stories. One of its gems, the Sansevero Chapel, is world-renowned for Giuseppe Sanmartino’s Veiled Christ, a sculpture that leaves visitors speechless with its technical brilliance and emotional power.
Along the waterfront, Naples delivers some of the most striking scenery imaginable for wedding photos and videos: the blue waters of the Gulf of Naples, the silhouette of Mount Vesuvius, and the historic Castel dell’Ovo combine to create unforgettable images. Noble palaces around Piazza del Plebiscito offer elegant, frescoed halls for receptions, while private villas perched on the Posillipo hill provide privacy along with sweeping views of the sea.
Naples is also rich in religious art and architecture. The Church of Santa Chiara, with its colorful majolica-tiled cloister, and the city’s Cathedral – home to the Treasure of San Gennaro – make for extraordinary venues for intimate yet deeply meaningful ceremonies. Couples can enhance the experience with private guided tours or capture stunning moments framed by frescoes and intricate architectural details.
And then there’s the food, an essential part of any Neapolitan celebration. After all, this is the city that invented pizza! But Naples is about so much more: fresh seafood dishes, decadent pastries, and local specialties that delight every guest. Just a short drive away, Sorrento adds another layer of magic with its breathtaking coastal landscapes and famous limoncello, made from the region’s fragrant lemons. Together, they create a culinary and cultural journey that elevates a wedding in Naples into something unforgettable.
Wedding Videography: Telling Love Stories Through Film
Alongside the growing appeal of destination weddings in Italy, the demand for world-class videography has risen dramatically. Today, wedding videography has become one of the central elements of international weddings in our country. It’s no longer just about recording the ceremony, it’s about creating a true cinematic production that captures every detail, every emotion, and every atmosphere with artistry and sophistication.
Couples today want films that tell their story in an authentic yet stylish way. This means every shot is carefully planned. At Thirtyfive Studios, for example, we use drones to capture breathtaking landscapes, stabilizers for smooth, fluid movements, and subtle lighting setups to make certain scenes feel particularly glamorous and cinematic. We focus on the smallest details too – a smile, a gesture, a piece of décor – crafting a film couples can treasure and share with loved ones for years to come.
Many top videographers also bring in personalized storytelling techniques, weaving in interviews with the couple, candid moments with friends and family, and footage of local traditions. The result is more than just a record of the day, it’s an immersive narrative that draws viewers into the heart of the celebration, making the experience truly unforgettable.
Italy is, without a doubt, a magical place to celebrate love. And we know you’ll want to hold on to those memories long after the day itself has passed. With a carefully crafted film, every glance, every gesture, and every detail of your wedding will be preserved with extraordinary quality, allowing you to relive the emotions as if you were right there again, immersed in the magic of that moment, surrounded by the art, history, and luxury that only Italy can offer.
Practical Tips for Planning a Wedding in Italy
Planning a wedding in Italy may seem daunting at first – especially for couples coming from abroad – but with the right approach, it can become a smooth, even enjoyable experience. The first step is to work with local wedding planners who know Italian regulations and have direct contacts with venues, vendors, and municipal offices. Many planners offer full-service packages and take care of every detail, from catering to music, floral design to transportation.
On the bureaucratic side, foreign couples need to make sure they have key documents: birth certificates, proof of marital status, sometimes a sworn translation, and legalization by Italian authorities. In some cases, a clearance certificate from your embassy or consulate is also required. This is where a wedding planner becomes invaluable, guiding you through the process and coordinating with civil and religious offices. When it comes to choosing a venue, Italy offers virtually endless options, which can make the selection process overwhelming. A planner’s expertise is essential here. They can also manage logistics such as guest transportation, accommodations, and side activities, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience.
Another key aspect is selecting the right vendors. Every wedding in Italy can be fully personalized thanks to the wide variety of local professionals, from wedding planners to videographers, chefs, musicians, and artisans. Coordinating all these elements turns an idea into a fully realized project, leaving nothing to chance. Planning ahead allows couples to combine Italian tradition with their personal style, creating a cohesive celebration thoughtfully curated down to the smallest detail. Again, our recommendation is to rely on experienced locals who know the area, speak the language, and have a trusted network of professionals ready for any eventuality.
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