A wedding in Tuscany might sound like a luxury for a select few. However, according to the organizer, that doesn't have to be the case.
Slovenian Monika moved to Italy over 20 years ago as a law student. She was so captivated by the country and its culture that she decided to stay for good. She learned the language, completed her studies remotely, and started a family in Tuscany.
“I worked with the district court in Florence, translated criminal law, and interpreted at conferences and business meetings. Later, private individuals contacted me for interpreting civil ceremonies in Italy, which intrigued me. I began to think about organizing weddings,” she recalls.
Facebook groups and later Instagram helped her get started. At first, friends and their acquaintances, who knew she lived in Tuscany, would reach out, and soon her work took off to the point where she now manages dozens of weddings a year.
Everything, of course, depends on the budget and expectations. We can organize a large luxury wedding. Most clients, however, spend a similar amount to what they would at home. The difference is that they spend three days with guests here, and the quality of service is higher.
- How much it costs to arrange an official ceremony in Italy.
- What Monika thinks is worth spending on and what isn't.
- What a wedding “weekend” at a villa in Italy looks like.
- How far in advance you should start organizing the wedding and why.
Weddings in Italy have become a huge trend in recent years. Settings straight out of a romantic comedy and excellent cuisine attract even those with no particular ties to the country.
“It's something different and more interesting for them,” says Monika. She notes that couples often choose a smaller but closer circle of guests for weddings abroad. More important than the number is the atmosphere, shared time, good food, and an attractive setting overlooking vineyards and olive groves. “I've also heard that there aren't as many interesting wedding venues back home as there are here in Italy. The few that could compare have outrageous prices due to high demand. And it's the same story from Czechs, not just locals,” explains Monika.
Monika can arrange everything for couples from the paperwork, venue, and catering down to details like the bride's makeup or photographer. If clients are interested, she also handles additional events and programs for the wedding guests beyond just the wedding day. Multi-day weddings are currently popular, where guests stay in one place for several days. The program often starts with a traditional Italian welcome dinner or pizza party, followed by the wedding day and usually ends with relaxation by the pool or a group barbecue.
I've even had proposals where a couple wanted to bring their own chef from home, but in that case, I wonder – why have a wedding in Italy if you're not going to enjoy the local cuisine?
For travelers, it's usually not worth it “to turn back” right away. “Guests often extend their stay. They might spend two or three nights at the wedding venue, but many stay in Italy for a week and make a vacation out of it – visiting Florence, Siena, or another region,” Monika says.
A wedding in Tuscany might sound like a luxury only a few can afford. But according to the organizer, that's not necessarily true. “Everything, of course, depends on the budget and expectations. We can organize a large luxury wedding. Most clients, however, spend a similar amount to what they would at home. The difference is that they spend three days with guests here, and the quality of service is higher,” she says.
However, one item in the wedding budget is noticeably more expensive in Italy than at home – the official ceremony. While Monika says handling all the formalities is easier than in France or Spain, it costs around 38,000 crowns. The couple doesn't pay just for the ceremony itself. If they want to marry in a villa, they have to consider renting the space, having a registrar present, and an official interpreter. “That's why I don't push clients towards an official ceremony. Some want it at all costs, but many couples prefer to get officially married at home and have a symbolic ceremony in Italy,” she says.
When should you start planning the wedding?
The interest in a legal marriage directly in Italy remains strong among engaged couples. “Many want to marry legally here and don't settle for just a symbolic ceremony. In such cases, obtaining permission is necessary,” Monika explains. There’s no need to handle documents way in advance. “We only need six months for the paperwork since the documents are only valid for six months, so it's pointless to start earlier,” she clarifies.
Based on Monika’s experience, a religious wedding involves even more paperwork than a civil one. Couples who are believers need not only documents but also permission from their parish to marry in a foreign church. “Everything can be worked out as long as the couple truly wants a religious wedding. If they are committed, they will handle the documents. If they just like the idea of a church wedding, they often reconsider,” she says.
If a couple is considering a larger wedding in Italy, with around 60 to 70 guests, Monika recommends starting to plan a year and a half in advance. For a smaller wedding, about six to nine months is enough. “Italy is a country people from all around the world visit not only for weddings but also for vacations. So beautiful places get booked quickly,” says Monika, who primarily focuses on the Tuscany region but can also arrange weddings in other areas.
What's not worth skimping on?
“I wouldn't skimp on the venue and food. I've even had proposals where a couple wanted to bring their own chef from home, but in that case, I wonder – why have a wedding in Italy if you're not going to enjoy the local cuisine?” According to Monika, one can save by opting for a symbolic ceremony instead of an official one.
Many brides and grooms want to see the venue before the wedding and travel to Italy even multiple times. In such cases, brides have space to do makeup and hairstyle trials and fine-tune details. But for Monika, planning a wedding and communicating with clients remotely isn't an issue.
Welcome dinner with a white dress code
The wedding program usually starts with the mentioned welcome Italian dinner or pizza party. The first evening is typically casual, serving as a pleasant welcome for guests and for mingling. The evening often begins with light refreshments in the form of antipasti, followed by sharing different kinds of pizza. “There’s always margherita, bufala, vegetarian, and meat options. It’s paired with prosecco, Aperol spritz, beer, or non-alcoholic drinks. Guests like to dress in white for it. It’s a kind of tradition,” Monika says.
The wedding day in Italy is relaxed and stress-free. The morning is devoted to relaxation, often by the pool, where the bride, groom, and guests spend time. “I don’t want them to wake up at five and stress out. I want them to relax and enjoy,” the organizer describes. Preparations begin later in the morning, with makeup artists, hairdressers, and other suppliers arriving gradually.
The ceremony is usually in the afternoon, depending on the season. In summer, Monika recommends scheduling it for early evening. “When it’s 40 degrees outside, having a ceremony at three isn’t feasible. I recommend more like six,” she explains. The ceremony often takes place right on-site or nearby.
Part of the wedding traditions in Italy includes throwing rice after the ceremony as a symbol of celebrating the newlyweds. However, this tradition isn’t always allowed. “Some venues prohibit rice – particularly on grass, where it might grow,” Monika explains.
In such cases, we look for alternatives. At outdoor weddings, we often use flower petals, while indoors, especially in churches, artificial petals may be preferred to avoid damaging the floor. Some places, however, don’t allow even that. The choice depends on the specific location and is always a result of agreements and meticulous planning.
Traditional Italian cuisine
After the ceremony, the wedding feast, which has its specifics in Italy, follows. It starts again with an aperitif, a relaxed buffet-style part where guests aren’t seated yet, but walk around, chat, and sample local specialties. On the tables are typically classic snacks like prosciutto, cheese, salami, olives, mozzarella, or various tiny canapés. Lighter drinks like Aperol spritz, prosecco, or other cocktails are also served.
Only after this part, which can last one to two hours, do guests move to the wedding tables. A served dinner usually follows, typically with two or three courses. It starts with pasta or risotto and continues with a main dish, often meat or fish with a side.
An Italian chef even cooked a traditional Slovak broth
The wedding menu is entirely different from the traditional one, which many brides and grooms find appealing, hence why they choose to marry in Italy. Not everyone, however, is familiar with local cuisine, so guidance is needed. “Most clients need guidance because they aren’t sure how it goes. But the result always impresses them; I’ve never seen anyone leave dissatisfied,” Monika says.
Sometimes couples want to incorporate something traditional from their country into the menu. Although rare, it is possible. “Once, we included a classic Slovak broth in the menu. The chef was initially concerned but studied the recipe, and the result was excellent – guests were licking their fingers,” she recalls.
One of the customs that guests have come to love at Italian weddings is the well-known napkin twirling. This trend is popular not only among locals but also among international guests and Italians themselves. “You’ve probably seen napkin twirling on Instagram; it’s very popular. Originally, it wasn’t even a wedding tradition, but it originated in stadiums where football fans did it,” Monika explains.
Usually, wedding guests do it when the newlyweds enter, once all guests are seated and the couple is still getting photographed at the ceremony site. “Some people like it so much they do it several times,” she says, laughing.
After the served dinner, the wedding smoothly transitions into a relaxed party. Guests head to an open bar with mixed drinks, and the fun begins. “After dinner, we usually open the open bar, and the wedding party starts. The cake gets served about half an hour later, sometimes even later, depending on the program,” Monika says.
A Tuscan wedding complete with homemade liquor
We wondered if Monika encountered any issues where older guests weren’t fond of Italian mixed drinks or wines and preferred traditional stronger alcohol, like back home. Monika explains such scenarios aren’t problematic. “If guests want to bring their own alcohol, there’s usually a ‘corkage’ fee. But everything is manageable, and Italian suppliers are used to it. When you explain it’s our tradition, they have no problem with it.”
Once, guests started breaking plates, and the Italian suppliers got scared, fearing they would continue and end up damaging nearby parked cars...
Couples build their program according to their preferences. Usually, it includes the traditional first dance, bouquet toss, or various activities like a newlywed quiz, determining even the timing of cake cutting. The cake often serves as a high point of the evening – it’s decorated by the newlyweds with fruit and sugar.
Couples who choose a wedding in Italy often have a clear vision of its style. “There are couples who come, saying they love Italy and don’t want a big domestic wedding or folk traditions,” Monika says.
However, others wish to bring domestic customs into the Italian setting, like breaking plates. “Once, guests started breaking plates, and the Italian suppliers got scared, fearing they would continue and end up damaging nearby parked cars...,” she recalls with a laugh. That’s why, according to her, explaining everything timely is crucial for a smooth wedding without misunderstandings.
