Italian weddings are often fashionable and sophisticated events where the country's love for style shines. From luxury resort weddings to saying “I do” on the sandy shores, there are so many different styles of ceremony, which may leave you wondering what to wear to an Italian wedding.
In this guide, we’ll give you a full breakdown of what you can be expected to wear as the happy couple, guests and the bridal party. We’ll also give you some pointers on how to dress for the Italian summer and how to ensure you look elegant and presentable.
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Italy is known for its simple and elegant fashion and this is reflected in Italian wedding dresses. Italian bride attire is the classic white dress seen across most Western weddings but with an extra focus on accessories and dress style.
An Italian bridal dress is made with high-quality, luxury fabrics and typically features intricate lace details across the garment. Famous Italian designers like Valentino and Giambattista Valli are popular choices for wedding dresses in Italy.
A bridal dress is usually a full-length or ball gown with a minimalistic style for a simple but effective look. The cut of the dress is clean and there are minimal embellishments and designs to allow the full focus to be on the dress silhouette. This not only enhances the bride's figure but ensures full attention is on her.
The most important accessory for any bride is the veil which covers the face and is made from delicate lace or tulle material. Some traditional Italian weddings also choose a mantilla veil which rests on the back of the head in an oval or circular shape. This doesn’t conceal the face but instead drapes long, delicate fabric down the back or to the floor.
Other accessories are minimal but often have meaning, such as jewellery which will commonly be family heirlooms or simple touches like pearls and diamonds.
Bridal shoes are usually white or ivory heels from designer brands like Jimmy Choo or Dolce & Gabanna. If you’re having a beach wedding you can also opt for elegant sandals where heels would be otherwise impossible.
The groom at an Italian wedding is well known for being stylish and sophisticated alongside their bride. Although the main attire for a groom is a suit, a lot of thought goes into selecting the right style and fit.
There are typically two choices for suits for the groom: a classic tuxedo or a three-piece suit. The tuxedo is usually black and is accompanied by a white shirt and bowtie. A tuxedo should always be carefully tailored to the groom and you’ll expect to see luxury brands like Gucci and Armani as part of the groom's ensemble.
Another common choice for an elegant affair is a three-piece suit. This features a tailored jacket and trousers with a waistcoat to match. If you’re marrying in the summer, especially if you’re in warmer destinations for a Tuscan or Amalfi Coast wedding, you’ll also find that grooms choose lighter colours for their suits.
Shades of grey, beige, and even cream are commonly seen alongside more breathable fabrics like cotton for greater comfort in the heat.
If you’re worried about what to wear to an Italian wedding as the groom, the most important thing to focus on is a well-tailored, sophisticated suit.
Grooms at an Italian wedding wear leather shoes like loafers or oxford shoes and as with the bride, accessories are minimal but carefully selected.
Cufflinks are a staple for any groom’s suit and these can be a family heirloom or gifted to the groom on the day of their wedding. You may also see a pocket square or more traditionally a boutonnière, a flower pinned to the groom’s jacket collar that matches the bride’s bouquet.
If you’re hosting a luxury wedding you may also see the groom sport a classic watch like a Rolex or Patek Philippe.
If you're chosen to be a bridesmaid or the best man, this is a great honour and you’re tasked with helping organise the wedding alongside dressing to compliment the bride and groom.
If you’re having a big family wedding, bridesmaids are a central part of the day. The bride typically chooses bridesmaid dresses to complement her dress and come in many colours and styles. Bridesmaids have the option to wear an identical dress or wear different styles of dress in the same colour.
Italian weddings favour long, sophisticated gowns made from breathable satin or silk for warmer weather or chiffon for texture. Bridesmaid dresses are most commonly pastel colours like baby blues, pinks and lilac but you can also choose earthy hues like forest greens and deep blues if you’re having a more rustic wedding.
In terms of footwear, you’ll likely be wearing smaller heels or wedges as more walking is required for the bridesmaids when helping the bride dress and travelling to and from venues.
As the best man your job is to support the groom on their big day and also look the part too. You’ll be wearing a nicely tailored suit, either a tuxedo or three-piece like the groom, but you’ll most likely be wearing a different design or colour to ensure the groom is the main focus.
Your accessories should match the groom’s, such as the boutonniere but you’ll likely be wearing more subtle colours or patterns to contrast the groom’s colour palette.
As the best man or a bridesmaid, you’ll also need to be polished and well-presented, with men having clean-shaven beards and a fresh haircut and women having carefully styled hair and makeup to suit their dresses.
The general rule for deciding what to wear to an Italian wedding is to stick to formal attire. For women, this means respectable formal dresses in floral or pastel colours, usually knee length or below in length.
For men, this is almost always a suit, but this can be dressed up or down according to the dress code. If the wedding is very formal, you’ll most likely be required to wear a bow tie or pocket square with your suit but if it’s a more toned-down affair you may be able to wear a suit without any accessories like a tie. Your invitation should always tell you the rules on how to dress and what colours to avoid.
Never wear white to a wedding, especially if you’re a woman, as this is seen as disrespectful to the bride. Also, avoid any colours worn by the bridal party and bridesmaids.
The location and style of an Italian wedding will also determine what sort of attire you’ll be wearing.
If you’re attending a villa wedding in Italy you can expect warmer weather. For women, we’d recommend wearing long, flowing dresses for more breathability and if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, sleeveless dresses to keep you cool.
For men, you should stick to lighter-coloured suits that don’t absorb the heat of the sun and thinner, more breathable fabrics for your shirt and suit. It’s not unusual to remove your jacket as the night unfolds so ensure your shirt underneath is pressed and fitted.
If you’re attending a traditional church wedding or catholic ceremony, it’s important to dress appropriately and respectably. Women should wear shawls or dresses that cover the shoulders, whilst men should focus on being neat and presentable in well-tailored suits and proper grooming.
If you’re wondering what other things to expect during traditional weddings in Italy, we’ve got a dedicated blog on what you might see throughout the day.
Now you know what to wear to an Italian wedding, it’s time to start planning the perfect celebration, and there’s no better way than with The Wedding Travel Company. Our planners handle all the hard work, from venue booking to decorations; they’ll even handle your document process and send out the dress codes!
To find your dream destination, whether it’s in Italy or beyond, browse our range of locations and find the perfect one for you. If you want to know more about our services and how we can help plan your wedding, get in touch with our expert planners today!
