You’re planning an elopement in Italy?! Woo hoo! Italy is one of my favorite International elopement destinations. I’m here to be your go-to guide on how to elope in Italy so that you know everything you need to make your elopement go smoothly.

Where to elope in Italy 

Elope in Italy – The Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast would be such a cool place to elope in Italy! The Coast is located in the Campania region of the country, and the scenery is so beautiful. Between the sky high coastal cliffs, colorful vegetation, and turquoise waters of the mediterranean, you will not be disappointed with the views. The best time to elope on the Amalfi Coast is during the months of May and September when the weather is nice and there are much less tourist crowds. Not to mention, the Amalfi Drive is a must-see! It’s much like the Highway 1 Drive in California, so if you’ve ever done that one, you’ll want to experience the Italian version. 

Fun Fact: The Amalfi Coast is known for its production of limoncello liqueur! 

Elope in Italy – Positano 

Positano is one of my personal favorite Italy elopement locations. It’s a cliffside village on the Amalfi Coast in the southern region, and it’s known as one of Italy’s crown jewels. This is definitely one of the more luxurious elopement destinations for all you couples looking to take full advantage of getting married in such a beautiful place! Positano is also home to the largest beach on the Amalfi Coast: Spiaggia Grande. If you’re looking for a more peaceful, serene spot on the water, you should check out Fornillo Beach. The best time to elope in Positano is during the months of May, June, and September. 

Elope in Italy – The Dolomites

The Dolomites are a breathtaking mountain range located in the Northern Italian Alps. This elopement location is perfect for adventurous couples who might want to go hiking after they say “I do”! Even for couples who would rather keep it chill, The Dolomites can be a breath of fresh air from the typical Italian scenery. Because they are considered to be in the countryside, this location is a much less populated and busy place to elope. There’s even a variety of different lakes if you want a lakeside elopement; Lake Como, Lake Karersee, and Pragser Wildsee. 

In The Dolomites, you can have a winter elopement in the mountains or a summer elopement on the lake!

Elope in Italy – Venice 

Venice is definitely a pretty popular tourist destination in Italy, but there are so many beautiful things to see. It’s one of the world’s oldest tourist and cultural centers, so you can only imagine the sights you can see here! It was built over 118 islands, and there are no roads for cars. You can get around Venice mostly by foot or through the canals. There are so many bridges, gondola rides, and carnival celebrations to enjoy in Venice, which makes it an awesome Italy elopement destination. 

Elope in Italy – Rome 

Being the capital of Italy, Rome is another very busy tourist spot. Although it brings millions of international visitors, many locals still reside in Rome, helping it to maintain its culture. The capital is home to many historical landmarks like the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, The Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and countless more. So even if you don’t choose to elope here, you should still plan to spend a few days visiting all of these sites! 

Rome can be a little overwhelming for some, so if you’re wanting a more chill, laid back experience, consider one of the other locations mentioned in this article. 

Elope in Italy – Tuscany

Last but not least – Tuscany! This beautiful region has mastered the art of combining both the countryside and more urban city feels. Of course it is home to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, so that’s something you’ll want to check off your bucket list when you visit. The capital of the region, Florence, is home to some of the world’s most recognizable art and architecture. The best time to elope here is in the mid to late spring and early fall.

Tuscany is the perfect place if you want to have an Italian vineyard wedding!

When should you elope in Italy?

The specific time you should elope in Italy is dependent on what location you choose. But as a general, always elope in the off-season when tourists aren’t everywhere! Unless you want to have a winter elopement in The Dolomites, early spring is a pretty good time to choose. Although the best weather in Italy is in the fall, especially in the countryside.

The legal requirements for eloping in Italy 

If you’re wanting to elope in Italy, you need to make sure you know all of the legal requirements well beforehand. Because trust me, there’s quite a few! And the last thing you want to do is forget your documents before taking an international trip. So first off, here are all the docs you need to get married in Italy!

• A passport or National I.D.
• Your original birth certificate 
• If you’ve been married before, you must bring your divorce certificate or certificate of death if you’re a widow
• An affidavit sworn before a consult in your home country; either a Nulla Osta or Dichiarazione Giurata
• An Atto Notorio signed by two witnesses
• A declaration of intent to marry that will go to the civil registrar 

Types of Italian ceremonies

There are three different types of ceremonies you can have in Italy: a civil ceremony, religious ceremony, or a symbolic ceremony. I highly recommend having a symbolic ceremony because it provides the most flexibility in terms of location. If you choose to have a civil ceremony, here are the requirements: 

• Must take place in a location that has been pre approved by civil authorities 
• Most pre approved locations are indoor
• You need to be in Italy at least two days prior to your civil ceremony

If you choose to have a religious ceremony, there are two types that fall into that category: Roman Catholic and Protestant. Here are the requirements for a Roman Catholic ceremony: 

• Baptism certificate 
• Confirmation certificates 
• Letter of no impediment to marry
• Completion of a premarital course 
• Local bishop permission to marry abroad

Roman Catholic ceremonies are also completely legal and can be held in one of Italy’s beautiful churches.

For a Protestant wedding, you must have a separate civil ceremony for it to be recognized as legal. It also must be held off site, not within a church. 

If you choose to have a symbolic ceremony, you can hold it anywhere you’d like! If you choose not to legally get married in your home country, then you must follow the Italian civil administrative procedures for your marriage to be official and legal.  

How much is it to elope in Italy?

Vendors

Like with any other elopement, you have to take vendor costs into consideration when planning your Italy elopement. Here are the vendors you will most likely need to book:

• Photographer (me!)
• Videographer ( Also me!)
• Florist
• An officiant
• Elopement styler/planner (if needed)
• A hair and makeup artist (if needed)

Don’t forget about your post-elopement meal! Even if you’re not having guests, you can always hire a private chef for you and your boo. Or you can say “Screw it” and go get pizza after! It’s totally up to you. 

When creating your budget, be sure to check out vendor prices so you can an accurate starting point

Airfare

The next cost to consider is international airfare. Websites like Hopper can give you the best prices depending on the date of your elopement! Try and be patient to wait and see when plane tickets will be the most cost-effective. Also figure out how much luggage you’ll need to bring for your elopement, because extra luggage means extra cost!

Lodging

Of course you will need somewhere to stay for your Italy elopement. You can choose to stay at a hotel, or you can rent an Airbnb! The choice is yours, but think about what would be easiest on you and your partner. Would staying at a hotel with room service and other amenities make the experience more stress-free? Or would you rather have complete privacy and your own space at an Airbnb?

Venue

Italy is such a great place to elope because the scenery is so beautiful that you might not even need to book a formal venue, which will save you a lot of money! Chat with your vendors and see what they recommend based off the vision you have for your elopement. Do some searching on Pinterest to get an idea of what you want! 

Other expenses to consider

There are fees associated with all the legal documents you must obtain to get married in Italy, so keep that in mind as well. Don’t forget about things like transportation, meals during your stay, and tipping your elopement vendors!

Is it difficult to get married in Italy?

No, it is not difficult to get married in Italy. Any international elopement will require quite a bit of planning, but that in itself doesn’t make it difficult. The process of eloping in Italy is straightforward as long as you give yourself enough time to prepare.  

Italy elopement packages 2024

All my elopement packages include photography coverage, location scouting, vendor research & recommendations, timeline planning, and all of your images in an online gallery. Also, my packages have the option to include any floral product though our florist!

How to elope in Italy

Now you know everything you need to elope in Italy! Next step: fill out my contact form so we can get to planning together. I can’t wait to meet you and learn all about what your vision is!