10 Most Romantic Places To Wed In Italy

This entry is from our Expert Guest series where wedding and honeymoon professionals share their best tips on creating memories that last a lifetime.

When getting married in a romantic location is important to you, you can’t select a more romantic location than Italy. With dozens of lovely locations to choose from, how do you pick the perfect setting for starting your life together? Here are our top 10 places to wed in Italy.

Places to Wed In Italy

Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como

Whether you are up for some Hollywood stargazing or the more romantic kind, Lake Como stands among the top wedding areas in Italy. Villa del Balbianello is definitely the most romantic Villa for a dream wedding on Lake Como. The real masterpiece is the panoramic terraced garden dominated by the elegant Loggia with three arches which stands on the highest point of the promontory. Dusk lights embrace bride and groom, along with their guests, who can can reach the Villa with private boat landing on the quaint quayside of the Villa. The majesty and charm of Villa was also a film set in famous movies like Guerre Stellari and 007 – Casino Royale, that could be an original idea for a movie wedding theme.

Capri Island

A legendary island of unspoiled charm and of the most desirable wedding destinations in Italy, Capri is a combination of shiny white houses, tiny squares, Moorish architecture, breathtakingly beautiful beaches, and narrow medieval alleyways with the perfect Mediterranean appeal. The favorite destination of VIPs for summer holidays, the island has 2 different souls: Capri, lively and charming with its famous Piazzetta and its elegant hotels, restaurants, and boutiques and Anacapri, a bit secluded, hence a perfect gateway for quiet and intimate weddings. Our favorite spots on the island are: The super VIP JK Capri at Marina Grande for small weddings. and for a cozy and familiar gathering, Restaurant Il Geranio – overlooking the Faraglioni Rocks is a real gem!

Kempinski, Venice

A wedding in Venice is romantic by itself. If you have your private island for one day, it is also more romantic! A wedding at San Clemente is a journey through the time. Set in a centuries’-old park, which houses antique courtyards and a historical church built in the 12th century, the hotel offers the perfect setting for every wedding style, may it be an exclusive, garden style, or theme wedding. The hotel has it private church, perfect setting for the ceremony and, why not, for the cut of the cake? Terraces, courtyards, lush gardens and dramatic halls make the San Clemente a one of a kind wedding venue in Venice.

Castello di Vincigliata, Tuscany

This part of Tuscany has it all: rolling hills, castles, vineyards, sun. Our favorite spot (and of many celebrities as well) is Castello di Vincigliata in Fiesole, overlooking Florence. Dating back to year 1031, this Medieval castle passed through different noble families who enriched it. Nowadays, returned to its splendor after 10 years’ renovation, the castle is the ideal place for celebrating weddings. With its internal courtyards, fresco ceilings, and an important heritage, the castle has the perfect atmosphere both in the internal and external spaces.

Portofino

If you’re looking for a clifftop setting, but don’t wan’t to travel too far south, then look no further than the Ligurian coastline. La Cervara, – on the road to Portofino – combines the balanced design and the grandeur of the architecture and the gardens. It is the ideal destination for those in search of peace and quiet. When you cross the threshold of the Cervara complex, the cloister is there to welcome and protect you. The unique, varied design of the Cervara complex allows you to hold different portions of an event in different places or rooms, all accompanied by the incomparable setting of the centuries-old monastery.

Belmond Cirpiani

With its winding canals, Venice is probably the most famous spot in Italy, so it comes as no surprise that it’s the most popular city to get married. But you might have to be quick: Venice is sinking five times faster than originally thought, according to a report last year. The Giudecca Granaries managed by the Hotel Cipriani can host seated weddings of up to 220 guests, with a private landing dock to the front of its Fondamenta Terrace with views of San Marco Square. Several spaces are available to choose from for both ceremonies and receptions, including the beautiful Antique Garden and the brick-walled Sala Tiziano.

Langhe, Villa Pattono

Thanks to its famous local products like Barolo wine and white truffle, the Langhe area boasts an heritage just waiting to be discovered and enjoyed during the wedding reception, in the company of the people you love. The uncontaminated beauty of this area of Piedmont changes with the seasons. In autumn, the vineyards tint the landscape with red and yellow, whilst in winter the rows of vines form geometric patterns on the snowy hills that draw the eye up to the Alps. Each season embraces this part of the land in its own special way. Located between Langhe and Monferrato, Villa Pattono is a beautiful historic home that dates from the 1700s and has been carefully restored with splendor, charm and comfort. Surrounded by nature with pristine old-growth woods nearby, it has panoramic views of the surrounding hills that provide guests a peaceful and tranquil retreat with luxurious privacy.

Rome

Ah, Rome, the eternal city. With opportunities to take your wedding snaps in front of some of the world’s most famous monuments, and throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain for good measure, it’s no wonder that the Eternal City is the second most popular city in Italy to get married (after Venice). Rome is a beautiful and mesmerizing city, perfectly situated amongst an unlimited number of historical sites and monuments that give the city its unique character: make sure you hire a good photographer because the backdrop is absolutely unique! The home of the Vatican, where romance and history touch all who visit, Rome makes a stunning setting for a wedding. If you are considering a Rome wedding, you can choose to have a religious ceremony in one of the many historical churches or a civil wedding in a garden or on a terrace overlooking the eternal city or in an villa in the hills of Rome – the possibilities are endless! Perched in a dominating position on the crest of the Janiculum Hill, Villa Aurelia boasts beautiful gardens and a breathtaking view of Rome. Our favorite church? Santa Francesca Romana at the Fori Imperiali.

Apulia, Ostuni

Move over Tuscany. The southern region of Puglia may be largely undiscovered by tourists but it most certainly wins the beauty contest. Apulia (or Puglia) is the heel of Italy. Surrounded by both the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, the coastline in this area is never far away making it a wonderful place to visit and travel for both wedding guests and honeymooners alike. Bari International Airport is an hour’s drive from the northern area of Puglia, so it is relatively easily reached, depending on how far south you go. Our favorite village is Ostuni, the white city, and the favorite and most romantic venues are La Sommita and Masseria Montalbano, alla masseria, or converted farmhouses that are now refined and boutique properties.

Villa Cimbrone, Ravello

A top list is not a top list without the gem of Ravello in the Amalfi Coast. Located in Ravello, absolutely enchanting and unique for its gardens downgrading into the sea, Villa Cimbrone is the perfect backdrop for a wedding in Amalfi Coast. The Villa is a first class hotel, a park to visit, and a venue for events and gala dinners. The Villa’s gardens are an incredible collection of the most beautiful flowers and one of the finest examples of English landscape in Southern Europe.

With many romantic locations that are perfect for your ceremony and your honeymoon, Italy is the perfect place for your destination wedding. Whether you plan to the wed in Italy or spend your wedding trip there, plan ahead with a honeymoon registry from Honeyfund.

ABOUT WHITE EMOTION. White Emotion is a leading wedding planning agency run by Alessia Santa. Alessia’s knowledge of wedding and event industry is very well known. As advisor and wedding expert, she cooperates with different venues all over Italy. Her expertise has been featured in magazines and newspapers like Corriere della Sera, Elle, Bride’s, Junebug Weddings, Wedding Chicks, and many more. Alessia and her team create unforgettable and luxurious occasions that are a perfect representation of your love for one another. They have in their portfolio the best locations in Italy, caterers and other suppliers that serve couples with different needs, habits, cultures and traditions. For information, visit the website.