When it comes to traditional weddings in Italy, many elements make the experience a unique and memorable way to tie the knot. From the cuisine to the church ceremony and the celebration afterwards, wedding traditions in Italy are all about showing love for family and Italian culture.
If you want to host your wedding in Italy, whether you’ve got Italian heritage or simply want to experience an authentic marriage experience, we’ve collected some of the most famous and exciting ideas to incorporate into your big day.
At The Wedding Travel Company, we have a range of destinations to select across Italy and the rest of the world, so whenever you want to say “I do” our expert wedding planners will be on hand to make your dreams come true.
Before a couple even gets engaged, one of the most important wedding traditions in Italy is a meeting between families. In Italy, the family unit is regarded as one of the most valuable aspects of life and as such a marriage isn’t just between the couple. It represents the joining of two families, and the families of both partners arrange a meeting where the couple can formally announce their engagement and celebrate becoming one large family unit.
Family continues to be a huge aspect of traditional Italian weddings throughout the planning, ceremony and celebrations too.
When it comes to wedding traditions in Italy, one of the biggest ones is the bride and groom's attire. The bride will usually wear the typical white dress we usually see at weddings but with some additional details. A traditional Italian wedding dress often has more detail with a focus on lacing and detailed craftsmanship.
Alongside a white dress, the classic tradition of something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue is also followed. Many families also gift the bride an heirloom, usually in the form of jewellery to be passed down through generations.
As for the groom, a more simple yet classy look is achieved with a fitted suit. Most Italian men opt for a darker-coloured suit and wear a flower lapel to match the colours of the bride's dress.
When you choose to marry in Italy, there are options for both civil and religious ceremonies, but traditional weddings in Italy are often Catholic. These types of traditional ceremonies take place in a church of your choosing and are officiated by a priest who also blesses the couple after saying their vows.
For Catholic or church weddings, you can expect the bride to arrive separately and later than the groom and the rest of the guests. The bride arriving late is a symbol of good luck and her father will walk her down the aisle to the groom.
Whilst a late arrival is good luck, being seen by the groom before the ceremony is bad luck. The bride must only see her groom in her wedding dress once she walks down the aisle and traditionally her face is covered by a veil until she reaches the altar.
Remember that if you’re marrying abroad in Italy you’ll need to apply for permission to marry and get your documents approved before you arrive for your ceremony. You can find out more on how to prepare with our top tips for planning a wedding in Italy.
One unique element of traditional weddings in Italy is the throwing of rice after the ceremony. As the couple leaves the church, rice is thrown over them in the same way we'd see confetti thrown over couples in typical Western weddings, The rice throwing symbolises fertility and is followed by well wishes and congratulations from the guests.
The most exciting and extravagant part of a traditional Italian wedding is the reception. This can be hosted in a number of places but will typically occur in venues that can accommodate large families like hotels or dedicated wedding villas in Italy.
The reception is a place of celebration with food, drinks and dancing. Every Italian wedding has a banquet full of traditional foods of the region including antipasti and a mixture of local meats, cheeses, pasta and of course, wines.
You can expect different dishes across weddings in Italy, for example, a Tuscany wedding might include the famous and traditional steak alla Fiorentina, whilst a Naples wedding could see some delicious traditional pizza on the menu.
For some ideas on the best places to host your reception, check out our blog on the greatest Italian wedding venues.
Probably the most unique thing about wedding traditions in Italy is the wedding cake. Rather than the typical sponge cake and icing we’d have at home, at a traditional reception the cake is millefoglie. This is a type of puff pastry layered with cream and topped with fresh berries.
Many modern couples still opt for the more well-known tiered cake in their Italian weddings, but if you’re looking for smaller and more subtle ways to honour your Italian heritage or enjoy the traditional culture when saying “I do” in Italy then choosing a millefoglie is a great option.
Expect some brilliant performances from live bands and DJs. There’s something for everyone to enjoy at modern Italian weddings, with a mixture of pop hits and dance music. There are also some traditional Italian songs for everyone, including the elders, to enjoy.
The highlight of the evening for many guests is the Tarantella, a traditional upbeat dance that involves both guests and the couple. It’s said to be another token of good luck and is a great way to get everyone up and have fun during your reception.
If you’re set on a traditional wedding in Italy then it’s time to get your trip planned and there’s no greater way than with our expert planners. Here at The Wedding Travel Company, we pride ourselves on our dedication to perfection, doing everything we can to ensure your wedding is truly authentic and fits all your needs.
We offer premade and fully customisable packages so you can choose how bespoke you want your planning to be.
With so much to plan for the big day, get in touch now and our team can help you start planning up to 3 years in advance!
