Thinking of a 2023 wedding in Italy? Here’s where to start.
It’s so exciting that you’re at the start of your journey to an Italian Wedding. They are an experience like no other and one we adore experiencing again and again. We’re here to tell you what you need to know, from understanding what’s involved in planning, what things cost right through to where you should be in your planning right now… It’s a long read but full of information!
What is an Italian wedding?
Strange question perhaps but you’ve seen all the dreamy pics, you’ve always wanted an Italian wedding but you’re not sure how it all works, how risky it is and what it would cost? We totally get it. Not only have we been in your shoes, we’ve helped over 150 couples navigate this precious point in planning and work out the right solution for them. An Italian wedding isn’t for everyone and with a few simple steps, you can make sure it’s the right decision for you.
Before jumping in, you need to:
1. Understand what an Italian wedding feels like.
An Italian wedding is an experience. It’s like being in a film. Often with multiple events, the experience is one shared with your guests and really all about quality time, celebrating your love, with the people you love the most. Oh and a heap of good food and drink!
Photo: James Frost
2. Understand what planning an Italian wedding is like as an experience.
We’ve all heard the myths: slow responses, lack of organisation, unclear costs. Some can be true if you go down certain routes but the thing you need to know is that on the whole, wedding suppliers are extremely hard working, organised and passionate about their jobs and your unique wedding. One thing’s for sure though, hiring the right planner is one of the most important decisions that you can make. Their organisation, abilities and relationship skills will affect your entire wedding and what it turns out to be. So choose wisely!
3. Understand the likely costs associated.
A wedding in Italy can be done on any budget. But of course things cost what they cost and if a budget is at the lower end, there are some things that just won’t be possible. We detail some more information on costs below.
4. Ensure that your main guests would make the trip.
One of, if not THE most important step is making sure those people that you need at your wedding, can and will make it to Italy.
The best way to gain a more detailed understanding of the above is to speak to a wedding planner or two. Every planner should offer a no obligation chat to explain their take on things, grow your knowledge when it comes to Italian weddings, and find out how they work and it’s a chance for you to interview each other and see if the relationship can work.
Photo: Grace & Mitch
Costs
The main variables within a budget are: location (part of Italy), venue, number of guests and number of events.
We’ve outlined some of the costs to expect, below:
Civil ceremony venue / symbolic celebrant - £500-£1500
Wedding paperwork (steps in the UK and Italy) should you have a civil ceremony - £500
Reception venue - a villa with spectacular views and accommodation for 20-30+ guests for 3 nights - £8000 - £25,000
Catering for 60 people - usually a 5 course meal with unlimited drinks, bar and wedding cake - £9000. Expect to pay between 100 and 170 euro pp and for prices pp to go down if your guest numbers rise.
Photographer - £2000-5000 (prices vary greatly depending on taste)
Décor and production (flowers, lights and special touches)- from £5000-20,000+ (although very much dependent on the couple)
DJ and music systems throughout the day - £700-£1200
Live music - £500 for a soloist, £1500 for a duo/trio and £3000-£15,000 for a band, equipment hire and travel expenses
Transport - £800 (a 28 person bus to and from the location)
Bride and Groom transport - a vintage car for the couple - £400 for a fiat 500, £700+ for a vintage convertible
Wedding planner - £2500-£8000 depending on skills, experience and service as well as pricing model (ie. commission/flat fee)
Catering at other events - £2000 per event, for drinks and food (ie. pizza) for 60 people
We've not included some other costs that should be considered alongside this:
Clothing for bride, groom, bridesmaids and ushers
Wedding rings
Flights can be anywhere from £100-£250 return
Entertainment and décor for other events
Wet weather option
In 2021 the average Wiskow & White 3 day wedding in Italy is around £30,000-£35,000 in a wedding where the venue budget is covered by guests paying for their stay. Some weddings are as low as £20,000, some as high as £150,000 and everything in between.
To download The Ultimate Italian Wedding Budget Template with every budget line you need to consider CLICK HERE.
Timeline
There’s no time like the present. If you’re going for Italy, start looking for your venue. You can’t really do this too soon. Not only does it mean more dates will be available to you, it may mean that venues are still working on 2022 prices, offering you a potential small saving.
If you’ve not already, set a budget and think through what you want from your wedding. The budget will determine what’s available for the venue.
Ideally you’ll book a venue pre-autumn and be all set for taking the next steps in planning, slightly ahead of the curve. This keeps your options open, prices potentially lower and makes the planning experience calm and enjoyable.
At Wiskow & White we can proudly bring any wedding vision to life, no matter the budget. We’ll always be open and honest about what can be achieved and love creating unique weddings with each couple.
If you're considering a wedding in Italy and would like to understand what your personal wedding could look like, don't hesitate to get in touch with us today.