Photographing a destination wedding is one of the most exciting parts of my job. I love watching my couples fall in love with each other, while enjoying the atmosphere of somewhere special and beautiful. Destination weddings in Italy definitely hit all of the marks for me! I LOVE this country. Quick fun fact: I actually studied abroad in 2016 and have basically been obsessed ever since. There’s nothing like Italian culture, their language, art, and architecture. It’s a beautiful spot to fall in love – or plan a wedding! If you’ve been considering a destination wedding in Italy, make sure you read through this whole post for some of my tips! PS. If you’ve already started planning and still need a photographer, please reach out here!
Why have a destination wedding in Italy?
Destination weddings are always a blast, no matter where you go… but there’s something extra romantic about Italy. The colors, the history, and the architecture are some of the most beautiful in the entire world. During every wedding and session I’ve photographed here, I’ve fallen more in love with the city and I know you will too.
Beyond the beautiful places to visit, it’s practical! If you’re traveling to Europe for your incredible destination wedding, you’re also in the perfect spot for honeymooning in the area, too! You could hit the Almalfi coast, travel to Rome for some historical stops, or just enjoy the slower pace of life somewhere like Tuscany. There’s really no way to go wrong here! And, beyond the two guests of honor, you’re giving your guests a chance to vacation somewhere special where they can also enjoy the art, culture, and architecture of the historical Italian cities.
Can’t you just picture how absolutely incredible your wedding portraits would be in one of these historic spots?
Where to Get Married in Italy
While I truly don’t think that you can go wrong anywhere in Italy, there’s a few truly unique cities that are romantic and the perfect spot for your dream wedding day! Here are a few of my favorites…
Villa Balbiano in Lake Como
Villa Balbiano is a privately owned luxury villa sitting along the lake in Tremezzina. It’s absolutely stunning and a perfect location for a romantic garden wedding day. The grounds are elegantly manicured and provide incredible views of the waterfront and historic home. There’s even a private boat dock we can use to sneak off during your cocktail hour for some portraits on the water! Villa Balbiano is a dream wedding venue in the picturesque retreat of Lake Como.
Amalfi Coast Weddings
The Amalfi Coast is one of the dreamiest spots in Italy to host your destination wedding. It has the perfect combination of mountain and water views, with some of the most famous beaches in the world. With several luxury hotels and wonderful local restaurants, the venue options are endless for wedding days along Italy’s best kept secret. See one of my favorite weddings from the Amalfi Coast here!
Tuscany Weddings
If you’re dreaming of the rustic charm of Italy for your wedding day, Tuscany is going to be the perfect spot for you! This region contains the rolling hills of the Chianti region and easy access to more historic and artistic regions like Florence and Siena. Tuscany has beautiful villas to consider for your wedding day, too – like the Florence Medici Wedding venue, vineyards, and castles. Think classic winery wedding day in the Italian countryside and you’ve got Tuscany!
Florence Weddings
Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is most well-known for its art and incredible architecture. Walking through the cobblestone streets, you see the beauty of Piazzale Michelangelo and the Duomo di Firenze. Florence is historic, absolutely gorgeous, and iconic Italy! The city has lots to offer from charming old buildings and gardens – so no matter what kind of wedding day you’ve envisioned, Florence will help you bring it to life. It’s easy to see why Florence is one of the most requested cities for wedding days in Italy. Don’t forget, Florence is also a great spot to start your honeymoon!
Venice Weddings
Venice may be one of the most romantic cities in Italy and offers a wide variety of options for your wedding day. With elegant palaces for a more traditional wedding day or beautiful gardens and courtyards for something more intimate, your Italian wedding vendors will help bring your dream to life. Venice’s beautiful historic buildings and plazas, like Piazza San Marco will provide incredible backdrops for your once-in-a-lifetime Italian wedding day. For a day filled with old-world glamor, consider Venice for your wedding day!
Rome Weddings
In the heart of Italy, you’ll find Rome – one of the most historic, beautiful, and romantic cities the country has to offer. It’s no surprise then that this is a popular spot for destination wedding days! Everywhere you look, there’s another sweet location for your nuptials – from incredible architecture to hidden gardens and other gems. Rome offers both historic venues, landmarks, and modern venues for your wedding day – so no matter what kind of vibe you’re going for on your wedding, you’ll find it here.
La Badia di Orvieto
Known for being one of the oldest hotels in Italy, La Badia di Orvieto is a gorgeous option for a destination wedding in Italy! It’s an old stone hotel that provides stunning views of the green Umbrian countryside and the old abbey. La Badia di Orvieto is a wonderful option for a romantic elopement in the Italian countryside (photographed by your favorite Italy wedding photographer, of course! Reach out today!).
How to Make the Most of Your Italy Wedding Day
Your destination wedding day is about more than jumping on a plane and tying the knot somewhere exotic. You’ve picked this location, and planned every romantic detail for your guests to enjoy. Now it’s time to truly enjoy your Italian wedding day! First, being able to make the most of your wedding day requires hiring a vendor team that you love and trust. You want to be able to relax, enjoy the views and your guests, enjoy the special food and trip that you made. That’s all possible when you have a team of people around you that support you, know your vision, and are executing it for you!
Next, make sure to take advantage of all of the beautiful portrait locations wherever you’re getting married. Your Italy wedding photographer will know the best spots for romantic portraits, drenched in the sunlight and romantic energy of Italy. Make sure to leave plenty of time to enjoy the landmarks near your venue!
Finally, just enjoy it! Destination weddings can be stressful – but they’re meant to be fun and special for you (and your guests). Take a deep breath and be in the moment, be present in that beautiful spot you’ve picked to commit to forever! Don’t forget, you can always kickstart your honeymoon in the city you’re married in – it’s a great way to extend your trip and time in this beautiful country!!
Choosing the Right Italy Wedding Photographer For You
Once you’ve decided to have a destination wedding in Italy, it’s time to think about hiring a destination wedding photographer. You want people on your team who know the area you’ve picked. They should be fully confident in helping you plan the wedding of your dreams! Your Italian destination wedding photographer should be someone who has experience traveling and photographing in the area. Check out their destination wedding portfolio and feel free to communicate with them about where you’ll be getting married.
There are secrets to working in any city – knowing how to avoid lots of tourists, the best spots to find the romantic and soft light we want, and how to play with the unique spot you’ve picked for your wedding day. Your destination wedding photographer should be able to tell your story in an organic and elegant way… All while tackling what makes your destination location unique. These are the reasons I LOVE photographing wedding days in Italy. It’s truly a photographer’s playground! I love finding ways to feature the gorgeous locations and architecture while still highlighting my beautiful couples and their love story.
Ready to book a wedding photographer in Italy? Let’s chat about your wedding plans!
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