How to Plan a Destination Wedding in Italy
Italy has a way of making a wedding feel like a film. Candlelit loggias, terracotta rooftops, long tables under the evening sky. But a wedding that looks effortless on the day is almost always one that was carefully built long before, and when you are planning from New York or New Jersey, that planning has its own rhythm.
At a recent wedding we designed at Villa Corsini in Florence, a historic villa with frescoed walls, we saw just how much an Italian setting can give a celebration. Here is what we tell every couple who dreams of saying yes in Italy.
Start with the feeling, then the place
Tuscany, Lake Como, the Amalfi Coast and Florence each offer something different. Before you fall for a venue, decide how you want the day to feel: intimate and candlelit, grand and formal, relaxed and sun-soaked. The feeling guides everything else, from the venue to the florals to the guest list.
Give yourself time
Peak dates at the best venues go early, and a destination wedding asks more of your guests too. We usually recommend starting the conversation a year to eighteen months out, so you have your pick of venues and your guests have time to plan travel.
Understand the legal side early
Requirements for foreign couples vary by location and by the type of ceremony. Many couples choose to handle the legal paperwork at home and celebrate with a symbolic ceremony in Italy, while others complete the formalities locally. We confirm what applies to you with local authorities, so there are no surprises close to the date.
Plan for your guests, not just the day
A destination wedding is really a long weekend. Welcome drinks, a rehearsal dinner, the ceremony and a farewell brunch give everyone time to settle in and enjoy the place. Thoughtful details, such as transport between venues and a welcome note in each room, make guests feel looked after.
Let design carry the story
Italian venues are beautiful on their own, so the goal is to work with them, not cover them up. At Villa Corsini we let the frescoed walls lead the dinner, with candlelight and a long, richly set table that felt fit for royals. In the courtyard we created an Italian market for souvenirs and desserts, and in the garden we planted a lavender-filled ceremony space. Each part of the villa got its own personality. That is what design-led planning means to us.
Work with a team that is there on both sides
Local vendors know the venues, and your planner knows you. We act as the bridge between your vision and the people executing it on the ground, so you are never guessing from across an ocean.
If you are dreaming of Italy, or anywhere in Europe or Africa, we would love to hear about it. Let’s Begin.