Italy is a popular destination for many British couples looking to say “I do” under sunny skies. With an array of sandy beaches, stunning cities and warm weather, it’s no surprise this location is so popular, but how much does a wedding in Italy cost?
To help you prepare for the perfect destination wedding, we’ve broken down the costs that go into planning your Italian venture and what you can expect to pay for the most important parts of your day.
Looking for the right place to tie the knot? We have a range of weddings in Italy at The Wedding Travel Company, with a range of different budgets to suit every couple.
The average price of a wedding in Italy is €40,000 or around £34,000, but this is only an estimate as there are so many factors involved that can make costs higher or lower than this average. This price includes everything from venue hire and guest numbers to photography and catering.
If you’re eloping in Italy or having a private wedding with just you and your partner, the cost of your wedding will be considerably cheaper. You can have a small ceremony, cut catering costs and skip out on hiring large reception venues. An Italian destination wedding involving just the happy couple can cost significantly less than average, with many marriages costing less than £5,000, including accommodation and legal proceedings.
On the other end of the scale, a luxury wedding in Italy with a large number of guests will understandably cost more. If you hire a 5-star resort with accommodation for all your guests and luxury catering, you can easily spend £50,000 or more on your whirlwind Italian wedding.
With so many factors to consider when budgeting for your wedding in Italy, it’s important to identify where prices vary the most.
There is a wide range of stunning locations in Italy that make for beautiful wedding destinations, but prices can vary greatly depending on where you choose to go.
Tuscany - A wedding in Tuscany can cost anywhere between £25,000 to £60,000. Weddings in Tuscany start from £13,800, but if you have a larger budget and guest list, you can enjoy the rolling Tuscan hills at Tenuta Mocajo from £41,650 for 55 people.
Lake Como - Lake Como is one of the most expensive, luxurious and desired places for couples to marry in Italy. If you want to save money, you can have a civil ceremony at the Bellagio Town Hall for just under £4,000, but if you want to host a reception at your Lake Como wedding, this can cost anywhere from £13,000 to £50,000.
Amalfi Coast - This coastal location is a dream destination for many couples who want to enjoy sandy shores and glistening beaches. With so many spots to choose from, like Positano and Ravello, prices can differ drastically. You could expect to pay around £30,000 for an Amalfi Coast wedding with 25 guests, but again this price can go all the way up to £80,000 depending on venue choice, location, guests and inclusions.
When searching for the right wedding venue, it’s important not to look straight at the price tag but instead establish what you need from your venue. From here, you can find a suitable location that fits your needs and budget best.
If you’re planning a family wedding where space for a large wedding party is a priority, you can find some amazing budget wedding venues. For under £6,000, you and 25 guests can dance the night away on the sandy shores of the Amalfi Coast at Positano Town Hall. It’s important to remember, though, that this price does not cover guest accommodation, travel or any additional costs like photography.
If you want a more luxurious venue that includes accommodation, reception space and catering all in one, you can book a private villa or even an Italian castle. This will understandably come with a higher price tag, but for many couples, the reassurance and ease of everything being arranged in one space is worth the additional cost.
One of the big decisions that couples make is whether they want to have a legal or a symbolic ceremony for their destination wedding.
A civil or religious ceremony has legal requirements for marrying in Italy. You need to have all your identity documents translated and hire interpreters on the day, which can cost a few hundred pounds. You’ll also need to account for any legal and admin fees involved in officiating your documents. For a civil ceremony, you will also need to host your wedding in a licensed venue, which often has a fee to hire.
If you choose to renew your vows or have a symbolic wedding, there is no paperwork required and no admin fees. You don’t need to hire a venue and can have your ceremony anywhere from the beachfront to an Italian vineyard.
Alongside the standard and most expensive costs like accommodation and venue hire, there are also a number of other additional expenses to consider.
Travel and flights - if you choose to have a destination wedding, you need to decide if you will pay for your guests' travel fees or have them pay these expenses.
Catering - If you choose a venue that has its own catering, this will be included in the price, but if you want specific foods or dishes, this will cost extra.
The cake - A wedding cake can be incredibly expensive or very cheap depending on your chosen design, baker and size.
Floral arrangements and decorations - You can hire wedding planners to create stunning arrangements, buy your own arrangements and have family decorate, or go with the venue provided decorations.
Photography and videography - You can hire a photographer for an hourly or day rate, or get creative and have your guests take pictures with mobile phones and handheld cameras.
Entertainment - You might want a live band, music or a DJ, which doesn’t usually come as part of venue hire.
If you’ve been dreaming of a wedding in Italy but are stressed about planning the perfect day for your budget, get in touch with our expert planners at The Wedding Travel Company. Tell us your requirements for your big day and how much you’re willing to spend, and we’ll help you find the right venue that accommodates your needs.
We’ll also handle all the tricky legal documentation so your wedding can be made official before you touch down in Italy.
Whether you’re longing to say “I do” by Lake Como or unwind by the pool in your own villa, we have a range of Italian venues to make your marriage magnificent without breaking the bank. Get in touch today!
