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Wedding in Italy

The country’s most exclusive venues

Whether lakeside, countryside, or seaside, Italy is home to some of the world’s most sought-after venues to celebrate your big day.

by Flavia Arditi

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Celebrating your Wedding in Italy is a dream come true. Every year, thousands of couples from the world over visit Italy to seek out a slice of La Dolce Vita. With its stunning landscapes and one of the most varied topographies of any country, Italy is one of the world’s most sought-after wedding destinations.

Whether you would like to celebrate your special day in a city, by the sea, in the countryside or lakeside, Italy is home to some of the world’s most exclusive venues, renowned internationally for their exceptional standards of excellence.

With its long tailoring tradition, outstanding cuisine, Michelin-starred chefs, breathtaking locations and fairy-tale settings, Italy is home to some of the most exclusive locations in the world to make your dream ceremony come true. Let us take you on an unforgettable tour from north to south to discover more of the country’s regions and magical venues. The hardest part will be coming back to reality.

Scuola Grande di San Rocco | Venice Campo San Rocco a San Polo, 3052

Located in the heart of Venice – Italy’s city of love, where art, culture and religion harmoniously merge – the Scuola Grande di San Rocco is an architectural marvel. Founded in 1478, it has an incredibly rich artistic heritage. Wedding receptions can be held here, and guests will be dazzled by the spectacular Tintoretto frescoes adorning the walls and ceilings. The bride and groom can arrive at their wedding venue on a romantic gondola or can opt to glide along the city’s canals aboard a timeless Riva boat. If you’re planning on having a Catholic ceremony, the sumptuous Chiesa di San Rocco lies adjacent.

La Venaria Reale | Turin Piazza della Repubblica, 4 – Venaria Reale

A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Turin’s Venaria Reale is an architectural masterpiece. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful former residences of the House of Savoy, the perfect venue to celebrate a regal wedding in Italy. With its countless majestic rooms and maze of gardens, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing your preferred location. Thanks to its grand and versatile setting, you will be able to host parts of your reception in different spaces, allowing your guests to discover all the beauty of this former hunting lodge. Its picturesque grounds can play host to large wedding parties, and if you’re planning a Catholic wedding ceremony, the stunning Chiesa della Reggia on site is available for hire.

Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como | Lake Como Via E. Caronti, 69 – Blevio

Immersed in a lush lakeside botanical park on the eastern shore of Lake Como, this resort combines Italian decor, oriental touches and sublime natural beauty. Offering a breathtakingly beautiful backdrop and heady views of the lake, mountains and centuries-old park, Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como is a much sought-after wedding venue for a wedding in Italy, perfect for couples seeking Italian hospitality with an international flair. The resort can host up to 200 guests in its 21 rooms, 52 suites and two private villas. Among the highlights is a wedding photoshoot by the hotel’s gorgeous floating swimming pool.

Villa del Balbianello | Lake Como Via Guido Monzino, 1 – Tremezzina

This elegant 18th century villa with impeccably manicured gardens boats a spectacular location on a promontory that juts out into the waters of Lake Como. Best reached by boat, the villa has hosted a wealth of international travelers and literati over the course of the years. A FAI property since 1988, Villa del Balbianello will satisfy even the most discerning couples, with incredibly romantic views, perfectly tended avenues, garden statues, panoramic terraces and lush blooms. This most magical location was chosen as the setting for a number of movies, including Star Wars and James Bond’s Casino Royale.

La Cervara | Portofino Via Cervara, 10 – Santa Margherita Ligure

Best known as La Cervara, the celebrated Abbazia di San Girolamo al Monte di Portofino dates back to 1361. It’s located just off the iconic road that links Santa Margherita to Portofino, an earthly paradise for its Garden of Eden-like setting, where time appears to have stopped. You’ll be hard pushed to find such a spectacular historic Italian garden with views of the Mediterranean anywhere else. Here, the sweet scent of flowers and the smell of the sea embrace and intertwine in an intoxicating pleasure for the senses. La Cervara houses a range of exceptionally romantic rooms and suites, particularly convenient for brides to nip up to their room for a quick outfit change or to touch up their hair and make-up. With accommodation on site, it’s perfect, too, for couples seeking to party until dawn. Your wedding night is sure to be unforgettable!

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze | Florence Borgo Pinti, 99 – Firenze

This urban retreat spread out over two noble residences dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries reflects the historical beauty of Italy’s most impressive City of Art. Four Seasons Hotel Firenze has an enchanting setting, with secluded private gardens – the largest green space in the city center – home to centuries-old trees, statues and fountains. The first city resort in Italy, the Hotel combines the magnificence of a bygone era with luxurious facilities and modern comforts. With its gorgeous Renaissance-style setting, it’s the perfect venue for an unforgettable wedding in Italy. The Hotel offers weekend hire, giving you exclusive access to the property, so you can organize a number of events and accommodate most of your guests in its many rooms.

Villa Cetinale | Siena Strada di Cetinale, 9 – Siena

Considered by many to be Tuscany’s most beautiful private villa, Villa Cetinale in the province of Siena was designed for Pope Alexander VII in the 17th century by architect Carlo Fontana. The villa is a utopian marvel in Roman Baroque style, with solemn works of art, vaulted ceilings, trompe l’oeil frescoes, carefully planned symmetries, fabulous gardens and an aristocratic atmosphere, making it the perfect setting for lavish wedding receptions of all sizes. Newlyweds can spend a fairytale wedding night in one of the villa’s twelve exquisite bedrooms. To make the most of the spectacular gardens, plan a wedding in the summer months, when flowers are in full bloom.

Castello di Velona | Val D’Orcia Località La Velona – Montalcino

The recently renovated Castello di Velona is perched high on a hill, dominating the tranquil Val d’Orcia. Dating back to the 10th century, the hotel is within easy reach of Montalcino, Siena and Montepulciano. It provides a fascinating glimpse into Italian history and art, making this the perfect venue for fairytale weddings with a medieval flavor. The castle courtyard, impressive glass atrium, stone walls, panoramic terrace and gardens offer an elegant setting for unforgettable receptions. Renowned for its thermal Spa, the castle also produces its own Brunello di Montalcino wine and organic olive oil. It’s the ideal venue to indulge in fine Tuscan wines and regional gastronomy.

Argentaia | Capalbio Strada Colle di Lupo, località Banditaccia – Magliano in Toscana

Neither a hotel nor a private residence, Argentaia reshapes the concept of luxury hospitality. Built on the ruins of an ancient monastery on Banditaccia Hill, Argentaia has the appearance of a medieval hamlet, and is equipped with the most up-to-date amenities and ultimate comfort. Offering indulgent luxury and utmost privacy, it’s perfect for couples who want to surprise guests with a venue that marries fine grounds and amenities with rural, rustic charm. Panoramic 360° views of Tuscany’s rolling hills stretching all the way to the coast provide a spectacular backdrop to your wedding in Italy photos. The venue offers luxury on-site accommodation, with magnificent suites for up to 60 wedding guests.

Villa Aurelia | Rome Largo di Porta San Pancrazio, 1-2 – Roma

This stunningly positioned hotel owned by the American Academy sits atop the Janiculum, overlooking the Italian capital. An exclusive spot for fairytale weddings, Villa Aurelia has been fully restored to its former splendor and is today one of Rome’s most magnificent venues. Immersed in greenery and offering breathtaking views, it’s the perfect place to soak up all the charm of the capital while admiring the city’s poignant beauty. Romantic and majestic, this exclusive venue with a grand and expansive setting is ideal for couples who wish to impress, making it particularly fitting for weddings with a large guest list.

Reggia di Caserta | Campania Viale Douhet, 2/a – Caserta

If you’re dreaming of a regal wedding, you’ll be hard pushed to find a venue that beats the Reggia di Caserta, which was built to rival the Palace of Versailles in both magnificence and opulence. The historical former residence of the Bourbons of Naples, the Reggia is the largest royal palace in the world, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. It is a truly magnificent sight, where even the simplest garden is ablaze with colors, scents, balance and symmetry, creating a veritable vision of Heaven on Earth. Available to host civil wedding ceremonies and/or wedding receptions, the Reggia is perfect for couples who wish to put on a bold and lavish display for their guests. Simply unforgettable.

Villa Cimbrone | Amalfi Coast Via S.Chiara, 26 - Ravello

An aristocratic residence dating back to the 12th century, Villa Cimbrone is the jewel of the Amalfi Coast (Greta Garbo famously fell in love here). It is today one of the Mediterranean’s most romantic and evocative hotels. The Villa is owned by the Vuilleumier family, who are committed to preserving the building’s original architectural features and decorative elements. It’s the perfect venue to host a fairytale wedding in Italy, with a range of wonderfully romantic facilities including an ancient crypt, a breathtaking panoramic terrace adorned with Roman statues, an enchanting hall with Gothic arches, and much-celebrated lush gardens. Indulge your wedding guests with exquisite Mediterranean dishes at Michelin-starred Il Flauto di Pan.

Villa TreVille | Amalfi Coast Via Arienzo, 30 - Positano

The first 5-star hotel of the Amalfi Coast, Villa TreVille is an exclusive oasis of peace lapped by the crystal-clear waters of Positano, the jewel of the Amalfi Coast. Comprising five stunning villas offering wonderful views of Positano, the property is nestled among lush gardens bursting with bougainvillea and tropical plants, home to secluded swimming pools and secret terraces offering utmost privacy and relaxation. The former residence of Italian film director Franco Zeffirelli, the villa attracts a jet set crowd of international guests. It exudes class and elegance, making it the perfect venue to host an unforgettable wedding.

Masseria Torre Coccaro | Apulia C.da Coccaro, 8 – Savelletri di Fasano

Nestled among olive groves, almond and carob tree orchards, Masseria Torre Coccaro is a five-star luxury hotel dating back to the 16th century. Home to a consecrated chapel that dates back to 1730, it offers a sophisticated setting and a genuinely Apulian atmosphere for a memorable wedding. The hotel’s four restaurants – one of which has a particularly evocative setting by the Hotel’s ancient vaulted stables and a pergola ablaze with jasmine and bougainvillea – serve an array of regional specialties, prepared exclusively with local produce. The hotel is home to two beach clubs and a golf course, and offers a range of activities that will delight your guests, including horseback riding, Vespa tours, and food and wine tastings.

La Tonnara di Scopello | Sicily Largo Tonnara – Scopello

Exuding historic charm and a simple, unpretentious atmosphere, this ancient fishing village with rich offshore tuna fishing grounds is lapped by Sicily’s crystal-clear waters. La Tonnara di Scopello is a stone’s throw away from the Zingaro Nature Reserve, home to two medieval watch towers and imposing faraglioni, or stacks, which protect the coastline from strong sea currents. Difficult to access, La Tonnara is perfect for couples who want an intimate wedding in Italy venue. Set in a bay of incomparable beauty, it is a unique and exclusive venue to celebrate a wedding. Ceremonies take place in a nearby open-air church; alternatively, you can opt for a symbolic ritual at the water’s edge.