When it comes to wedding planning, it’s every couple’s wish to have a spectacular day that’s personal, unique and unforgettable. Unfortunately, it’s high-stress and anxiety-inducing to think about something as big as your wedding day when you’re already in the thick of wedding planning.
The good news is that as you get closer to the big day, everything starts feeling more possible. There are plenty of luxurious options available, whether you choose a villa in the city or a beach ceremony. Booking a celebrity wedding planner can help take some of the stress out of the process.
But regardless of where you choose to wed, your big day should be perfect. And what could be more perfect than an Italian wedding?
The rolling hills, the cobbled streets, the magnificent churches and the food – there’s something about Italy that just makes a wedding so perfect. Maybe it’s the romance of the country or the fact that you can have a wedding cake that looks like a painting.
Whatever the reason, whether you choose a villa in the countryside or a ceremony on the beach, an Italian wedding is bound to be magical. Let’s take a look at the most beautiful venues in and around Italy for you to consider.
Pisa
One of the most photographed cities in the world, Pisa has a picturesque historic center that’s been populated for centuries. It’s easy to understand why: the Pisan school of painting was one of the most influential in the early 15th century, and the city’s cathedral was the first Renaissance building to be constructed.
Located on the eastern coast of Italy, only a few short hours from Milan, Venice and Rome, Pisa has become one of the most popular wedding destinations in Italy. The scenic walk from the train station to the city center is decorated with flower stalls and wedding cake shops, and the city hall is a popular spot for pre-wedding photographs.
As the wedding date draws closer, it’s time to start thinking about the reception venue, and Pisa has a wide range of five-star restaurants and eateries to choose from. You could host the event in one of the city’s most historic hotels, the Palazzo della Mercanzia, which has been recently refurbished or at one of its exclusive villas, which are scattered around the outskirts of the city.
Venice
One of the most romantic cities in the world, Venice has a glorious history as a tourist destination that dates back to the 16th century. Today, travelers can roam the city’s historic center, shopping for a unique souvenir and dining at one of its many renowned restaurants or cafes.
Walking through Venice is like falling into a fairytale: the winding streets, the teal canals and the gondolas that dot the waterway. It’s easy to understand why Venice is so romantic: the city’s inhabitants made a living out of selling tickets to gondolas, which were essentially roped off water taxis that would deliver you to your wedding site in style.
Forbes magazine recently listed Venice as the 6th most fashionable city in the world, and for good reason: the city is home to some of the most exclusive boutiques and most stylish hotels in Italy. You could pick a three-star hotel in the St. John Hotel or near the Rialto Bridge, where you can have a meal at one of the city’s restaurants, or you could stay at a chic villa in the outskirts of the city, where you can dine at one of the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurants.
Rome
As the capital city of Italy and one of the most well-known monuments in the world, it’s not really a surprise that wedding planners choose Rome as the center of their ceremonies. Tourists flock to the city to see the stunning white city, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, built during the first century AD and the beginning of Italy’s journey into the twenty-first century.
Over 60% of Rome’s population is made up of students, so it’s a city that never sleeps. This could be ideal for those traveling on their wedding day, as long sleep-deprivation is often a key factor in marital bliss. Just make sure you check the rules and abide by them, as sleep-deprivation can make people a little crazy!
To quote William Shakespeare, “a wedding was conceived in an instant” – and perhaps it was. The excitement and passion of young romantics who fell in love during one of the city’s famous summer nights has made wedding planners put on extra shows in the city. There are plenty of luxurious five-star hotels in Rome, and as the city’s population is one of the largest in Europe, finding a venue would not pose a problem. You might want to consider one of the six-star Resorts, which are scattered around the outskirts of the city.
Siena
Siena is one of Italy’s most picturesque cities, famous for its annual horse racing festival and world-class opera. In the summer season, the city’s streets are filled with tourists and locals alike, visiting its medieval churches, watching art displays in piazzas and eating at some of the city’s numerous five-star restaurants. In the center of the city, the Museo Civico (city museum) is a great place to start your tour, with works by the Sienese masters covering the entire history of the city. Nearby, the Campo, with its baroque churches and piazzas are a great place to end the day, along with a stroll through the city’s medieval streets.
As for the wedding venue, there are plenty of luxurious options to choose from. One of Italy’s most exclusive villas can be found in the medieval town of Siena, while the 15th-century Palazzo Pubblico is another gorgeous choice. Nearby, the 10th-century Santa Maria della Scala is one of the city’s most opulent churches, and the Baptistry is another great example of Italian baroque art.
It’s said that a wedding in Italy is as unique as the couple getting married. Perhaps it’s the romance of the country or the fact that you can have a wedding cake that looks like a painting, but one thing is for sure: your wedding day in Italy will be magical.