4 Tips For Planning Your Dream Destination Wedding Or Elopement In Italy

Italy is such a dream destination for your wedding or elopement! Whether you want a wedding in the Tuscan countryside or a private elopement in the Dolomites, packed with epic hikes or mountain biking, a destination wedding or elopement in Italy can easily be customized to suit your vibe.

However, Italy is such a large and diverse country, so just a bit of planning is required to bring your elopement vision to life. Here are my top tips on how to plan a romantic wedding in Italy — la dolce vita awaits!

1. First, decide your budget for your destination elopement in Italy

What do you need to do before eloping in Italy? It’s not the most exciting, but I always recommend that couples start by working out their wedding budget. 

If you’re on a tighter budget, eloping or having an intimate wedding is a great idea. If you’re willing to invite fewer guests, or even plan a private elopement, you can prioritize more of your budget for amazing experiences, like a helicopter flight over the Dolomites or a romantic spa day in Tuscany. 

Many couples also elope privately, then plan a celebration back home for all of their friends and family. This is a great way to include everyone you love in your wedding, while still being able to elope in Italy. 

2. Look into the necessary Italy marriage requirements

Non-Italians can legally get married in Italy, but they’ll need their passport, birth certificate, and a few documents including the Atto Notorio. This is a legal permission to wed, best obtained from your nearest Italian consulate before you travel. There are also some extra steps to the process if you plan to marry in the Catholic Church. 

However, if the logistics of how to elope in Italy seem too complex, it’s also a beautiful thing to get legally married in your home country, and then have a symbolic ceremony in Italy. Both are valid options, so spend some time thinking about what would mean most to you as a couple. 

3. The ultimate question: Where to elope in Italy?

It’s a massive decision, but when deciding where to get married, consider not just your budget, but also the date and time of year — do your preferred wedding dates work best for a certain location in Italy? 

Also, think about which experiences you’d like to do together. I’ve included more detail below on some of the best places to elope in Italy, but try to select a location based on your interests, whether you’re foodies who love the big cities or you want to get lost in the mountains together. 

By considering what’s most meaningful to you, it’ll be easier to plan a special celebration that’s authentic and unforgettable. 

4. Start booking travel and lock in your key vendors

Once you’ve decided on a location, confirm your vendors (starting with your venue) as soon as you can. Italy is a massively popular tourism and wedding destination, especially in spring and summer, so please lock in your location and accommodation asap, so you don’t miss out! 

Should you hire a wedding coordinator for a destination wedding in Italy? For larger weddings, a local planner can be a lifesaver, saving you time and stress. Also, if you’re not fluent in Italian, a planner can be essential in coordinating with local vendors, and can also recommend trusted suppliers to work with. 

However, for small elopements, you may not need one — it all comes down to the size and complexity of your event, plus how confident you might feel in organizing everything on your own. 

Next, book your international flights or any travel, including car rentals. Note that non-EU residents will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) for car rentals, but this is super easy to obtain at home before your trip. If you’re based in Canada, you can find more details about the application process here. 

Italy’s Dreamiest Wedding Destinations

If you’re seeking an authentic and unique location, here are some of the best in Italy! These locations are rich in history, cuisine, and culture, plus they offer plenty of activities, so they’re the perfect base for your celebrations.

Of course, there’s also so magically beautiful, so your elopement photography in Italy will be just as epic! 

The Magic Of The Mountains: Your Elopement In The Dolomites

Located in northern Italy, the Dolomites are one of the best areas for a destination elopement in Italy — particularly for those looking for incredible nature backdrops. The jagged mountains, paired with clear alpine lakes, are so special and ideal for outdoor activities. 

Knowing how to plan a Dolomites wedding comes down to your interests. If you’re hoping to ski, or say your vows on a snow-covered mountain top (so romantic!), aim for winter dates, while hiking and biking are best from early summer through autumn.  

I’ve done several amazing hikes in the Dolomites and can guide you toward the perfect one, depending on length, timing, and your preferred views. 

However, you don’t need to hike far to discover amazing views for your Dolomites elopement photography, one of the many reasons why this region is so great! The vast size of the mountains here means we can create such dramatic photos with a powerful sense of scale — Dolomites wedding photography looks amazing in almost every angle.

Mi Chalet in Alta Badia is my top choice for accommodation. This luxury mountain chalet, with huge panoramic windows and a Jacuzzi and sauna, is designed in a contemporary style that just feels so inviting and romantic. Plus, there is an alpaca farm in the property! It’s in such a gorgeous location, just a few minutes walk from cafes, restaurants, and shops. The hosts couldn’t be nicer and can even arrange a private chef for your meals — heavenly! 

For larger elopement or wedding parties, Hotel La Sajun is next to the chalet (and operated by the same owners) so it’s perfect for families and friends who are joining in for the celebrations. 

However, you can also find plenty of high-end chalets and boutique resorts in this area, especially if you’re seeking serenity and privacy. 

Celebrate Your Love In Venice, The City Of Canals

Famous for its canals, picturesque bridges, and historic architecture, your Venice wedding photography will be so timeless and romantic. This northern Italian city is beloved for good reason, as there’s truly nowhere else like it in the world. 

Venice can be a great option for weddings if you’re seeking a grand, luxury venue in the historic city, such as the Aman Canal Grande or Gritti Palace. With historic ballrooms and five-star suites, these hotels will deliver exceptional weddings in the heart of Venice. 

However, for elopements, I find that couples often prefer to elope elsewhere, such as in the nearby Dolomites, then come into the city for a pre or post wedding photoshoot in Venice. 

It’s best to stay in Venice itself, rather than commuting from Mestre, as you’ll save yourself travel time. Plus, that way you can enjoy the early mornings and evenings in the city, when crowds are lower and the daytrippers have left. 

We can shoot early in the morning to make the most of the quieter canals and streets — as you both enjoy the delights of the city’s gondola rides, delicious gelato, and ornate bridges, I’ll be snapping away, capturing all of those beautiful candid moments!

Rolling Hills & Unforgettable Charm: Why You Should Consider A Tuscany Destination Wedding

The region of Tuscany, including the famous Renaissance city of Florence, is also an incredible option for your celebrations. Unlike the dramatic lakes and mountains of the Dolomites, Tuscany offers a much different vibe — think soft rolling hills, small regional towns, and fantastic wineries and local cheese, meat, and cuisine. 

With your Tuscany wedding photography, we can take advantage of the golden hour sunlight here, capturing such romantic outdoor shots framed by olive trees, vineyards, and ancient cobblestoned streets. 

If you’re looking into the best places to get married in Tuscany, you’re in luck, as there are so many phenomenal options here! Gorgeous Airbnbs are dotted across the countryside, but you can also find amazing rustic chic farmhouses and villas or even luxury castles. 

Near the stunning Renaissance town of Montepulciano, Villa Ardene is a seven-bedroom stone villa, completely charming with vibrant gardens, a private pool, and a serene location positioned on the rolling hills of the region. They cater particularly well to small weddings and the staff are so helpful with organizing private winery tours and can arrange a private chef for all of your meals. 

Or, if you’re thinking about how to get married in Florence, Italy, you’ll find plenty of luxury hotels that offer grand wedding spaces, such as Villa Merlo Nero or Villa le Fontanelle. However, you could easily do a low-key Florence elopement by renting a cute apartment in the city center and spending a few days exploring Florence’s delightful museums, piazzas, and famous bridges like the Ponte Vecchio. 

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I can’t wait to hear about your Italian elopement plans! If you’re seeking a destination elopement photographer in Italy, please reach out and we can start planning your candid, romantic wedding photography — timeless memories of your love story.