The Complete Guide to Eloping in Italy - How to, and the top 5 locations for an Italian elopement.
Guide to Eloping in Italy - How to, and the top 5 locations for an Italian elopement. {Updated for 2024}
Jagged mountain peaks, turquoise blue beaches, historic streets, and romantic vineyards are just a few of the sights that Italy has to offer. For any couple who wants to ditch traditions and get married in a way that feels meaningful and adventurous, jetting off for a destination elopement can be the ultimate adventure! If you’re craving a wedding day that’s unique and custom tailored to you, combine your wedding day with your honeymoon by eloping in Italy.
With so much to explore, you’ll need a little help planning your destination wedding - so here’s a complete guide with everything you’ll need to learn how to elope in Italy.
And if you’re new around here, here’s a reminder that it’s time to get married however the hell you want!
When to Elope in Italy
One of the first things you’ll need to do when you decide to elope in Italy is choose a date for your ceremony. But before you do that, it’s important that you know about the weather, and the best times to visit Italy! There are a few different climate zones across the country, so the best time to elope will depend on what you want to do.
Winter in Italy
The temperature differences across Italy are most extreme in the winter. Northern Italy often sees temperatures below freezing, and frequent dustings of snow. The mountainous regions in the north are usually covered in snow, creating perfect skiing conditions.
While southern Italy is less cold, it’s definitely still chilly, with temperatures hovering around 40 degrees. Coastal areas are typically warmer than those that are further inland, and while snow is rare, it does happen! Rainfall is a lot more common, and winds can be prevalent in winter, especially on the east coast.
Spring in Italy
Spring weather can be a bit temperamental - one day it’s sunny and warm, and the next day another cold spell hits. Temperatures warm up as summer approaches, and eloping in Italy in late spring can be a great way to avoid the summer crowds. Spring is great for hiking some of the lower elevation trails, as you can explore the lush meadows of the Italian Alps as the wildflowers bloom!
Summer in Italy
Summer is the most popular time to visit Italy. Temperatures can reach into the high 90s in the south, but the coast and the mountains of northern Italy are more temperate. Summer is the best time to elope in Italy if you hope to go for some higher elevation hikes in the Alps, as the snow will typically be gone around July. It’s also a great time for eloping on the beach and enjoying the summer weather!
Fall in Italy
Fall can be an amazing time to elope in Italy, as the weather cools down and crowds disperse. In northern Italy, you can hike in early fall to see the leaves change color and dot the landscape with hues of red. In southern Italy, you can enjoy nearly empty beaches while the days are still mostly sunny!
Elopement expert opinion?
If I were eloping in Italy, I would choose May or September.
Where to Elope in Italy
Deciding where to elope in Italy might just be the hardest part of planning your day. There are stunning coastlines, rugged mountains, cities rich with history… how could you choose? Here are some of the best places to elope in Italy to get you inspired!
Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is one of the most iconic spots in Italy. The miles of coastline are home to dramatic cliffs that peek over the ocean, small beaches where you can enjoy the sunshine and the clear blue water, and the adorable pastel villages that dot the coastal road. Even just driving through the Amalfi Coast will make you feel like you’re in a storybook, but staying in one of the unique private villas above the ocean and saying your vows on a turquoise beach is an experience you’ll never forget.
Elopement expert opinion?
There are Amalfi look-a-like towns but with half of the visitors. Amalfi has exploded with popularity over the recent years. If you want a tailored elopement experience in Amalfi Coast, Italy, but want something less crowded, I included travel and elopement planning in our destination wedding packages. Contact us here to get started.
Venice
The unique city of Venice is famous for its canals. The city was built on a group of 118 islands that sits in the Venetian Lagoon, and the islands are connected by bridges and separated by canals. If you elope in Venice, you can take a gondola ride around the city, and enjoy the rich cultural history found in the architecture and museums around the islands.
The Dolomites
The Dolomites are a mountain range in northern Italy, and definitely one of the best places to elope for any adventurous couple. Whether you take an easy walk at the base of the mountains, or you venture up some of the harder trails, the views of the Dolomites will take your breath away. The formidable peaks, lush green valleys, and alpine lakes would make an incredible backdrop for any wedding ceremony.
I’m going to be real- the Dolomites are HIGH on my bucket list. Once you see an elopement photo from the Dolomites, you’ll understand why. If you’re ready for an adventure of a lifetime and want to work with me for your Dolomites elopement, I have a few freebies I can add to your elopement package. (Hint- 35mm film, florals, and trip planning assistance from a European travel planner.) Get in touch with me here.
Sicily
Sicily is Italy’s largest island, located right next to the toe of the famous “boot.” Mount Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe towers over the city, and between the snow capped mountains and the cobblestone villages by the ocean, there’s plenty to explore. The nature, history, and culture of Sicily make it an amazing place to elope in Italy.
Naples
Credited with inventing the first pizza pie, Naples is the best place to elope for food lovers! You can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine, explore the cobblestone streets, and immerse yourself in the culture of Italy. Naples is often overlooked by travelers, so while it has the same charm of Rome, it offers an experience that’s much more local and authentic.
Can You Legally Elope in Italy?
Among the excitement of finding the perfect elopement location and planning your adventures, there’s also the question of getting legally married!
Many couples who have destination weddings choose to do the paperwork at home, as it’s a lot easier than figuring out the legalities of getting married in a foreign country. That way you can spend the elopement day having a blast instead of filling out forms!
If you do decide to get legally married in Italy, you’ll need your passport, birth certificate, and a certificate of no impediment (a document that states you can legally marry). Your documents will need to be translated into Italian, and copies can be mailed ahead of time for those traveling internationally - just make sure to bring the originals when it’s time for the ceremony!
You’ll need to make an appointment with the marriage office to declare your intent to marry, along with a second appointment for your actual ceremony (unless you’re having a religious ceremony, in which case it can take place at a church). At the town hall, you’ll need two witnesses and a translator if you don’t speak Italian, and you’ll get your marriage certificate right after! The US embassy will have the most up to date guidance on getting married in Italy.
The Cost of Eloping in Italy
One of the best things about eloping is that you get to decide what you spend money on! With big weddings, money is often spent on things that you’ll only use once, but with a destination wedding in Italy, you can invest in experiences for your elopement!
The cost of eloping in Italy can vary a ton - because eloping can be whatever you want it to be! You could spend a week backpacking in the Dolomites, or a week at a luxury resort. It’s all about what feels right to you, so there’s no average cost of eloping in Italy.. When you’re budgeting for your elopement, make sure to consider travel costs, like plane tickets and lodging, as well as the cost of any activities you have planned! And of course, don’t forget any wedding costs, such as attire, florals, and a photographer.
But if you’d like to see some numbers. Our couples have spent between $10k-$28k on their European destination elopements. That’s quite the range. Some factors to consider in why such a large range is luxury accommodations vs basic, length of trip, cost of wedding clothes, and how much your dream elopement photographer charges.
Want to see an elopement gallery?
One of our favorite elopements in Florence, Italy.
Alice and Francesco are both Italian citizens, and thankfully Alice (pronounced A-leech-ay), spoke enough English that I could guide them through an incredibly comfortable elopement experience. I had a translator with me, but by the end of the day, we didn’t even need to translate. We ate pasta and drank wine together like old friends and it was magic.
Elopement Packages in Italy
As a husband and wife videography and photography team, who actually had a destination wedding ourselves, we’re passionate about making sure each couple gets the wedding day of their dreams, while providing expert guidance along the way.
Along with documenting your incredible day, we’ll also help with planning, finding the perfect location, and creating a day that’s custom tailored for the two of you - because your wedding day should be stress free. Our expertise extends into day-of timeline planning, getting folks comfortable not only in front of the camera but with us as humans, and vendors/trip recommendations to make your elopement the best possible experience ever.
Destination elopement packages start at $7250 - contact us to start planning, and to see all of our elopement and wedding packages in Italy.