Italy wedding

Hi Emily, we are also in the process of planning an abroad wedding for May 2025. It is very overwhelming to begin with, especially with finding a venue. What helps me is to focus on one thing/ task at a time. With not being able to see venues or vendors in person, it's easy to get lost in communication.

Wish you all the luck!

Hello!

Congrats on your engagement

let me suggest two amazing spots in SICILY (ITALY).
1) CASE VARISSCO AGRI-RESORT IN PALERMO (you can find them here on Hitched, they're absolutely NOT expensive and super friendly).

2) Pittalumari Makari Resort (San Vito Lo Capo). Pittalumari Makari resort is located in the heart of nature, with a stunning sea view. You won't need massive flower decorations since the venue is full of local wildlife, the food is all organic and cooked by local ladies and you and your guests can spend the week in their fantastic accommodations. It is an intimate, amazing way to celebrate love.

They also provide symbolic rituals both in the garden and on the rocks!!

Italy is such a beautiful choice. A friend of mine got married there, but before deciding on a venue, she and her fiancé took a trip using this guide, https://gowithguide.com/italy It helped them explore different regions and find the perfect spot that truly fit them as a couple. If you have the chance, doing something similar could make the decision a lot easier. Wishing you the best with your planning! 😊

That’s such an exciting plan—congratulations! Getting married in Italy can be magical, and starting early is definitely the right move. A good first step is to decide whether you want a civil, religious, or symbolic ceremony, as each comes with different legal requirements and timelines. From there, narrow down the region that fits your style—Tuscan countryside, Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, or a historic city all offer very different vibes.

It also helps to create a clear planning roadmap: budget, guest count, preferred season, and key deadlines. Many couples find it useful to break the process into logical steps, almost like doing an analisi logica of the entire wedding plan—separating venues, paperwork, vendors, and travel logistics so nothing feels overwhelming. Hiring a local wedding planner can make a huge difference, especially for handling legal documents and local suppliers.

Lastly, visit Italy in advance if possible or request virtual tours, and give yourself plenty of buffer time for paperwork. With good structure and organization, planning an Italian wedding can be just as enjoyable as the big day itself.

Congratulations on planning your Italian wedding — honestly one of the best decisions you can make! A few things we learned that aren't always mentioned:

Legal paperwork is the biggest hurdle. If you want the marriage legally recognised in the UK, you'll need to go through either a civil ceremony at the Comune (town hall) or work with a notary. Many couples do a symbolic ceremony in Italy and register the marriage officially back home — far less bureaucracy.

Venue season matters more than people realise. Late May–June and September are the sweet spots: warm, not scorching, and fewer crowds than July/August. Lake Como and Tuscany book up 12–18 months ahead for peak dates, so the earlier you lock in the better.

Budget in euros carefully. Italian vendors often quote in euros and payment schedules can be spread across months leading up to the date. If either of you is working in Italy or earning income there, it's worth understanding how salaries and taxes work — I found a really clear Italian net salary calculator at calcolostipendionettoo.it that explains take-home pay under different work arrangements, useful if you're thinking about relocating after the wedding!

Wishing you a beautiful matrimonio — Italy will not disappoint!