Top 10 myths about planning a destination wedding in Italy
These top ten myths often turn off even the most adventurous couples, and while there are challenges when planning a destination wedding in Italy, most are very manageable and well worth the effort. Below are the top ten most common concerns of grooms and the reasons why you shouldn’t let them stop you from planning your dream wedding in Italy.
1. I can’t afford it
Weddings in Italy are not just for the rich and famous. Destination weddings are becoming more and more common, with Italy being one of the best places. Here are just a few of the ways you’ll save:
To lease: Places in Italy are surprisingly affordable. Costs are similar to what you find in the US, but your options range from Renaissance villas and medieval castles to frescoed town halls and beautiful old churches.
Catering: You’ll find that the catering is comparable to US costs and for that money you’ll get an incredible five courses with the wine and champagne often included. Italy is known for its food and wine, and a wedding meal full of local specialties like handmade pici pasta in wild boar sauce, pork risotto, and Fiorentina steak served with Chianti and Prosecco is sure to impress your guests. The fact that you’ll have twenty to forty guests instead of a hundred and fifty will also save you a ton.
Decor: The places here are so stunningly beautiful that you can also save on decorations as they need very little decoration. From olive groves to vineyards to Italian gardens, people travel from all over the world to see the countryside and the stone, stucco and fresco buildings are the perfect setting for any big event.
Moment: If you and your guests are already here, you can have the ceremony any day of the week and often receive a lower rate from all your vendors.
Combinatorial: It’s a wedding, a family vacation, a trip with friends and your honeymoon, all paid for with a plane ticket. What more can you ask?
2. My guests will not be able to afford it
Accommodation: These days many guests have to travel for a wedding anyway. Depending on your location, the length of your stay, and the size of your group, you can often get rates for a fraction of what it would cost each couple to stay in a hotel. Many venues have villas suitable for large groups and apartments for smaller groups or additional guests, as well as wedding halls and gardens for your ceremony and reception, making everything convenient and simple for you and your guests.
Transportation: When you have a group, there are many options for travel that don’t require each guest to rent a car. You want to spend time with everyone, so why not organize the week of sightseeing together? Small groups can share the price of renting a van for ten people and larger groups can have private buses that will pick you up at your location and take you to your destinations for much less than a rental car.
3. Nobody will come
Although you will have fewer guests, destination weddings tend to average 40. Those who will come will be your closest family and friends, or the most adventurous. With those two types of people you will surely have a great time. When you choose a place like Italy, with its great cities of Rome, Venice, and Florence, and the allure of the Tuscan countryside and Lake Como, you’ll be surprised how many are ready for a vacation and will combine their wedding with sightseeing. . tour of Italy. Plus, you can avoid offending people you might feel compelled to include if the wedding were local.
4. Bureaucracy is too difficult
While Italy is famous for this and requires some additional work, a consultant can guide you through the necessary steps. A legally binding ceremony in Italy requires an Atto Notorio from an Italian Consulate in the US, as well as a Nulla Osta from the American Consulate in Italy. This is followed by an appearance before the corresponding Ufficiale di Stato Civile three days before the ceremony to receive the Authorization. The necessary requirements to obtain these three documents will vary according to the couple and the region of Italy. Additionally, there are some limitations on where a legally binding ceremony can be performed. It is possible to do it on your own, but we always recommend the assistance of a professional, as you may find yourself in Italy without the proper documentation and unable to continue. While less romantic, there is always the option of having a legal marriage in the United States and a symbolic ceremony in Italy. You’ll save yourself a lot of work and your guests will never have to know.
5. I will not be able to personalize my wedding
By choosing a wedding planner who will work with you every step of the way, you can infuse as much of your personality into your wedding as you want. It’s about finding the right help rather than choosing a package or having your location do the coordination, which often just includes coordinating providers. A wedding planner will not only be able to bring your vision to life, but they will also be able to suggest Italian touches like confetti, a traditional Italian millefoglie or Charlotte wedding cake, or even traditional Italian wedding songs to give your wedding a special touch. . some extra special touches.
6. I will lose too much of my budget on currency exchange
What you lose in return, you often make up for in value. A wedding in Italy is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Their places are castles and medieval villas and no one makes food and wine better than the Italians. Be smart with your currency exchange. Talk to your bank and see what they can offer you. Make sure you are absolutely clear about your rates. Many will say that they only charge a certain fee, but forget to tell you that they add 10 cents to the exchange rate. Then talk to other banks. When banks know they’re competing for your business, one may suddenly be able to offer you a better rate. If you intend to use credit cards for any transaction, be sure to talk to your credit card company. Most charge an international transaction fee of around 3%, but some may offer better while others charge more. Either way, this is not something you want to have as a surprise on your bill.
7. I will also have to pay travel expenses for my guests.
While we would all like to pay everyone’s travel costs, very few of us can. The etiquette holds that guests are responsible for their own travel and accommodation, though anything on your part to help with those costs will always be noted and appreciated. A gesture of thanks for your guests is always a nice touch. A welcome dinner highlighting local Italian specialties such as pecorino cheese from Pienza, buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto, or a tour activity are lovely ways to show your guests that you appreciate their efforts to attend your wedding.
8. I will have to coordinate everyone’s trips.
Although not required, it is a common courtesy to arrange accommodation and help with transportation. You don’t need to book plane tickets, but it might be a good idea to have something organized once everyone gets to Italy. It can be a daunting job coordinating 40+ arrivals at different airports at different times and making sure everyone arrives safely at your venue, so make sure you know what you’re getting into before you take on this task. Ask your wedding planner if this is something they can help you with.
9. I will never have all my things there / my dress will be lost, it will be ruined
If you pack smart, there’s no reason why you can’t have everything you need for your wedding week and honeymoon in your airline-allowed bags. If you want to bring special keepsakes or photos to display, consider asking your parents or the wedding party if you can each bring one or two items. Keep in mind that they also have a lot of extra attractions to pack, so don’t overload them. With proper preparation, your dress will arrive safe and sound. Talk to your bridal salon for tips on packing your dress and how to care for it once it arrives.
10. It will be even more stressful than a normal wedding.
With the right help, this is the biggest myth of all. While it does have some additional paperwork requirements, you will find the planning much easier than you expected and your destination wedding in Italy will be one of the best experiences of your life.
Good luck and happy planning!