13 Best Wedding Venues in Italy
Dreaming of a destination wedding in Italy? Or even a wander round the best spots for siteseeing on your Italian honeymoon? We certainly don’t blame you. From grand villas on Lake Como to historical cliff top locations, there are countless Italian wedding venues for every taste and budget. Plus, no matter where you decide to wed, you can be sure that your guests will have plenty to do. To help you narrow down the infinite choices, we curated this list of the best wedding venues in Italy.
Lake Como Wedding Venues in Italy
Villa Balbiano
About: Villa Balbiano is available for exclusive private rentals. With capacity to accommodate up to 30 persons and up to 600 guests for events/weddings. Villa Balbiano is one of the most important and impressive villas of the lake. Built in the 16th century, this villa was once the home of Cardinal Durini and has since been newly restored by French decorator Jacques Garcia. A stunning, luxurious wedding venue with charming gardens and beautiful frescoes. Price range for one day event might vary for the garden (only) from 8,000 euro and for the event/wedding with an access to the Villa' interiors from 20,000 euro.
Location: Piazza Cardinal Durini, 22010 Ossuccio CO, Italy
Guest count: Up to 600
Price range: $$$$
Villa D'Este
About: Perhaps one of the world’s most established luxury hotels. Villa d’Este has historically been a playground to royals, sultans and the upper classes. It has evolved into an opulent, luxurious getaway, and is a fairytale wedding venue.
Location: Via Regina, 40, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy
Guest count: Up to 400
Price range: $$$
Villa Erba
About: An Italian jewel. Villa Erba is located in the chic village of Cernobbio and has played host to some of the most exclusive events in the world. 'Ocean’s Twelve' was filmed here and a result, it is one of the most well-known villas on Lake Como. But it is famous for good reason. The villa has a lavish interior with a number of original ornaments and frescoes, making it a jaw dropping setting for a luxury wedding.
Location: Largo Luchino Visconti, 4, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy
Guest count: Up to 300
Price range: $$$$
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
About: The entire property of the Grand Hotel Tremezzo has recently been renovated and features 90 rooms, luxury suites, spa, two swimming pools (including one floating on the lake), a private beach and solarium, tennis courts, and a fitness club. Wedding receptions can be held on the T Bar terrace with supreme lake views. Inside the grand Sala Regina, receptions can be held until midnight with sumptuous cuisine accompanied with live music. Not to be missed is the very cool Escale wine bar.
Location: Via Regina, 8, 22016 Tremezzina CO
Guest count: Up to 100
Price range: $$$
Villa Sola Cabiatti
About: The outdoor area at Villa Sola Cabiatti features two charming gardens which make for a magnificent wedding venue; the Italian garden for 180 guests and the pool garden for up to 100 guests. The historical residence preserves its paintings, frescoes, porcelains, tapestries, and furnishings from the 18th century and its Baroque style emanating harmony and elegance. Some of the standout features of this villa are the high-society halls, the central lobby with frescoes and gilded chandeliers, and the drawing-room, just to name a few.
Location: Via Statale, 36, 22019 Tremezzo CO, Italy
Guest count: Up to 180
Price range: $$$
Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como
About: The modern yet classic refurbishment of the 18th Century villa creates a relaxed atmosphere, with Asian touches to reflect the origins of the Mandarin. The accommodation is spread amongst numerous buildings within the botanical park, in addition to the rooms and suites in the main buildings there are two self contained villas available for a more private stay.
Location: Via E. Caronti, 69, 22020 Blevio CO, Italy
Guest count: 160
Price range: $$$$
TUSCANY WEDDING VENUES
Castello di Casole
About: All the outdoor areas of Castello di Casole are quite versatile therefore the flow of the event can be customized as couples prefer. Couples usually choose the cloister of the castle for the welcome dinner with live stations and a casual setting. For a Gala dinner, depending on the final number of guests, the Lemon grove terrace or the Lemon grove garden are the ideal places. The maximum capacity is 200 guests and the rental of a Marquee, in this case, is compulsory.
Location: Località Querceto, 53031 Casole D'elsa SI, Italy
Guest count: Up to 200
Price range: $$$$
Castello Banfi
About: Nestled in the Tuscan countryside, just 20 km from Montalcino, home of Brunello, one of the most renowned wines in Italy of which Banfi is a symbol in the world, the princely Castello Banfi is surrounded by a natural setting made up of vineyards that would be the envy of a Hollywood movie set. An ancient stone village, born in 1700 at the foot of the walls where tradition is at home and is valued in all its aspects: food and wine, historical, architectural, landscape and environmental. The castle is surrounded by 2830 hectares of vineyards, orchards and olive groves.
Location: castello di, 53024 Poggio alle Mura SI, Italy
Guest count: 150
Price range: $$$$
Como Castello del Nero
About: COMO Castello Del Nero is a 740-acre estate in the world-famous Chianti region of Tuscany. At the heart of this historic estate is a twelfth-century castle layered with Renaissance frescoes and contemporary design, with fresh interiors by Milanese designer Paola Navone. The castle features 50 rooms and suites which can accommodate up to 115 guests.
Location: Str. Spicciano, 7, 50028 Barberino Tavarnelle FI, Italy
Guest count: 115
Price range: $$$$
Villa Montanare
About: The magical est.1640 Villa Montanare is an intimate stand-alone enchanting rural hideaway near Cortona, perched on a beautiful hill on 420 meters overlooking a breathtaking panoramic view over the Val d’Esse and Val di Chiana Valley. This stunning effortless authentic minimalism escape is surrounded by a paradisiac variety of olives, cypresses, pines, figs, fruit trees, rosemary bushes, lavender and stone walls. Exclusivity allows you and your guests to immerse yourself into the Tuscan experience with picturesque terraces, pool area and gardens with a paradisiac variety of plants. You can even indulge in massages or yoga lessons!
Location: C.S. Loc. Valecchie Montanare 43 Villa Montanare, Cortona, Tuscany, Italy
Guest count: Up to 50
Price range: $$
AMALFI COAST WEDDING VENUES
Villa Cimbrone
About: The decorative architecture transports you to Ravello’s history and boasts the natural beauty Italy is known for. As one of the most prestigious hotels in the Mediterranean, you will fall in love with Villa Cimbrone's pure elegance!
Location: Via Santa Chiara, 26, 84010 Ravello SA, Italy
Guest count: Up to 100
Price range: $$$
SORRENTO WEDDING VENUES
Villa Astor
About: Villa Astor is a splendour rarely seen both inside and outside. This property was bought by William Waldorf Astor in 1905 who fell in love with this place and filled it with one of the greatest 20th-century collections of classical and Renaissance antiques. In the 1970s the Villa was acquired by a wealthy family who welcomed many illustrious visitors including Gregory Peck, Princess Margaret, Sofia Loren, Franco Zeffirelli and Rudolf Nureyev, making it one of the most desirable destinations in the South of Italy.
Location: Via Marina Grande, 5, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy
Guest count: Up to 200
Price range: $$$$
Rome Wedding Venues
Villa Aurelia
About: Villa Aurelia is rented out on an absolutely exclusive basis. Only one event is organised on any one day, and clients are free to choose the areas that best suit their needs. At Villa Aurelia you're not tied to using any particular supplier and this gives you the freedom to choose your own catering company, florists and musicians, and any other services you may think fit for the best possible result for your wedding. This formula enables all their clients to make their wedding a truly unique, personal and unforgettable occasion.
Location: Largo di Porta S. Pancrazio, 2, 00165 Roma RM, Italy
Guest count: Up to 300
Price range: $$$
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreign citizens legally get married in Italy?
Yes, but there’s quite a bit of bureaucracy involved, so if you don’t speak Italian, you will need to hire a wedding planner who does or at the very least an interpreter.
What is the difference between a civil ceremony, a religious ceremony, and a symbolic ceremony in Italy?
In Italy, a civil ceremony is a legally binding marriage ceremony that usually takes place at a city hall or certain approved locations. Religious ceremonies usually take place in a Catholic church and are only an option if both the bride and groom are Catholic and meet certain conditions (i.e. neither can be divorced). If you don’t want a religious ceremony and don’t want to choose from one of the approved places for a civil ceremony, you can have a symbolic ceremony just about anywhere. Symbolic ceremonies are not legally binding, so you’ll need to take care of the legal aspect in a separate ceremony at a city hall in Italy or your hometown.
How does the cost of weddings in Italy compare to the U.S.?
The cost of a wedding in Italy varies greatly depending on the venue and vendors you choose. That said, weddings in Italy generally cost less than they do in the U.S. Just make sure to factor in the cost of your flights and accommodations when budgeting for a destination wedding in Italy.
What are some Italian wedding traditions?
Right after the ceremony, guests toss rice at the couple as they are exiting the church or city hall. Italian wedding receptions tend to be very food-focused, whether couples opt for a buffet or sit-down meal. The couple usually offers a small party favor called bomboniere to all the guests as well as confetti, which is not confetti in the English sense of the word but the Italian word for candy-coated almonds.
How to Choose Wedding Venues in Italy
We looked at a wide variety of wedding venues in Italy, including hotels, villas, vineyards, farmhouses, and event spaces. We consulted with Italy wedding planners who have planned weddings in Italy to learn about their favorite venues. We considered the location, amenities, chefs, accommodations, quality of service, significant architecture or interior design and historic elements of each venue. All the venues provide something unique, whether it’s a Baroque villa, a vineyard with a historic wine cellar, or a rustic farmhouse.
