If you’re looking to find out all about destination weddings in Italy and where exactly to celebrate your love, you’re in the right place.
As a destination wedding photographer with plenty of experience capturing love stories across Europe, I’m excited to share some of the most stunning Italian destination wedding locations and venues you’ll fall in love with.
Ready to explore Italy wedding locations and top resorts? Let’s dive in!
About destination weddings in Italy
Italy is the perfect wedding destination, with its rich culture, rustic buildings full of character, stunning wineries, and, of course, the incredible food.
You’ve got so many landscapes to choose from—whether it’s a beautiful island with scenic sea views, a historic city like Rome or Venice, or the rolling green hills of Tuscany paired with the finest wine.
As a photographer who loves capturing dreamy, intimate weddings, I’m always drawn to venues that feel like works of art and deliver top-notch service. So, I’ve handpicked a few places that do exactly that.
These spots will make you feel even more special on your big day and create the wedding experience you truly deserve.
Ready to find out everything about them? Let’s go.
4 best wedding venues in Italy
Here’s my selection of the most beautiful places in Italy, along with a wedding venue recommendation!
1. Lake Como
Besides soaking in the gorgeous views, you and your guests can enjoy delicious aperitifs and some of Italy’s famous coffee while taking in the breathtaking panoramas.
And don’t worry about anyone getting bored—there’s plenty to do, from boat excursions and water sports like canoeing and kayaking to hiking in the surrounding mountains.
Just remember that Lake Como is a seasonal destination. Most hotels, restaurants, and shops close during the winter months, so the best time for a wedding is from June to September.
Venue of choice – Villa Balbiano
If you’re looking for a timeless, romantic wedding venue that dates back to the 16th century, Villa Balbiano is just that.
This elegant villa, set on the western shore of Lake Como, offers breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains, paired with outstanding service that will make you feel like royalty.
And that’s not just a figure of speech. The villa is actually a historic palazzo with sprawling, meticulously manicured gardens that surround the estate.
Inside, the villa is filled with period furniture, antiques, and paintings that look like they belong in a museum.
The vibe is beautifully dramatic, with crystal chandeliers, glittering gold accents, and antique gilded mirrors that transport you to another era. Imagine waking up here and taking a royal stroll through the gardens with your loved one—pure magic.
If you’re drawn to castles, palaces, and that dreamy Pride and Prejudice feel, you’re going to fall in love with this place. If that’s not quite your style, you might prefer one of the more contemporary options below!
2. Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast is famous for its breathtaking views, incredible food, beautiful historic architecture, luxurious venues, and that classic romantic vibe for your wedding day.
If you’ve ever seen a celebrity’s vacation photos from their trip to Italy, odds are high that the Amalfi Coast can be seen in the background.
Most Amalfi Coast wedding venues are perched along the stunning coastline, offering spectacular views that will make your day even more magical.
Venue of choice – The Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi
This 5-star luxury hotel is truly unique thanks to its clifftop location, sitting 80 meters above sea level and offering gorgeous views of both the Amalfi and Mediterranean coasts.
What started as a 13th-century monastery is now a stunning hotel with a panoramic restaurant, plenty of beautiful spaces for your wedding, an infinity pool overlooking the sea, a private beach, and 53 luxurious bedrooms for you and your guests.
The villa was fully refurbished in 2023 and truly brings together contemporary design with bright, neutral tones and chic, modern furniture.
If you’d like a Catholic ceremony, there’s even a private chapel on-site that seats up to 70 guests. For larger weddings or symbolic ceremonies, they offer plenty of other options to suit your needs.
3. Sicily
If you’re all about island vibes, a laid-back lifestyle, and a light breeze all day long—mixed with luxury and stunning views of Mount Etna and the Mediterranean Sea—then a high-end, scenic Sicilian wedding should be your go-to.
Venue of choice – Dimora Delle Balze
Dimora Delle Balze in Noto, Sicily, is a 19th-century historical gem and arguably one of the most beautifully designed venues in all of Italy.
It feels like you’re stepping back in time, where old architecture and untouched nature meet hip contemporary design and high quality services—giving you the best of both worlds! To me, this venue feels like the ultimate fairytale.
They offer 11 thoughtfully designed rooms with a vintage feel, centered around 3 courtyards, and surrounded by vast gardens. Plus, you’ll find a saltwater pool, yoga corners, wellness center, organic restaurant and a lemon orchard.
With space for up to 200 guests, Dimora Delle Balze is perfect for a big celebration in a truly epic location.
4. Tuscany
No list of locations for destination weddings in Italy would be complete without Tuscany.
This incredibly romantic region is known for its gently rolling hills, medieval hilltop towns, sunflower fields, and endless vineyards—it’s everything you’d want for a dreamy wedding.
For wine lovers, Tuscany offers the perfect opportunity to combine your wedding with some wine-tasting activities, treating your guests to the finest selections.
In addition to its vineyards, Tuscany has some of Italy’s prettiest wild natural parks, historic cities, and towns with the most charismatic architecture, along with the scenic countryside.
It’s no wonder it’s one of the most beloved locations for an Italian wedding.
While enjoying the peace of country life, you and your guests can indulge in simple yet flavorful local dishes, including a wide variety of meats, the famous pecorino cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and of course… the wine.
And now onto the best part – my venue selection.
Venue of Choice – Villa Lena
This one’s for all the foodies out there! Villa Lena is a stunning 19th-century villa with an orange hue that brings a contemporary twist to traditional Tuscan cuisine, offering an unforgettable farm-to-table experience.
Beyond the dreamy scenery and gorgeous interiors, you’ll get to indulge in their next-level, organic, modern Italian cuisine. Every ingredient used in their catering comes straight from their seasonal, organic vegetable garden—talk about fresh!
Villa Lena offers a variety of options for your big day, from a hilltop wedding reception and a poolside BBQ to a cozy picnic with close friends among their lovely olive groves. It’s the perfect mix of laid-back Italian vibes with an elevated touch.
And, of course, the venue has everything you’d expect from a rural luxury Tuscan escape: peaceful forests, rolling hills, ancient woodlands, and beautifully kept vineyards and olive groves.
You’ll have truly endless options for saying your “I dos” and celebrating your love in style.
The best time for your Italian wedding
Wondering when to plan your Italian wedding? It mostly depends on the region you choose, but generally, September is the best month to get married.
The peak season runs from June to August, when the weather is at its finest, but if you plan to get married during this time, be sure to book well in advance and be prepared for higher prices.
In winter, many businesses might be closed, and the days can be quite chilly (despite Italy’s reputation as a warm country). So, if you’re dreaming of an outdoor ceremony, aim for somewhere between June and September for the best experience.
Are you ready to plan your Italy destination wedding?
Frequently Asked Questions: Destination Weddings in Italy
Why do couples choose Italy for a destination wedding?
The combination of extraordinary scenery, historic architecture, world-class food and wine, and a culture that takes celebration seriously. Italy has venues that look like they belong in a film — villas on lakeshores, clifftop terraces above the Mediterranean, centuries-old palazzos in Tuscany. And the food and wine are genuinely part of the wedding experience in a way that’s hard to replicate anywhere else.
What are the best regions in Italy for a destination wedding?
Lake Como for dramatic alpine lake scenery and historic villas. The Amalfi Coast for cliffside terraces and Mediterranean views. Tuscany for rolling hills, vineyards, and rustic elegance. Venice for canal-side ceremonies unlike anywhere else. Rome for ancient architecture and grandeur. Each region has a completely different character — the right one depends entirely on what kind of wedding you’re envisioning.
What is the best time of year for a destination wedding in Italy?
Late spring and early fall — May, June, September, and October. The weather is warm but not oppressive, the light is extraordinary, and the major tourist crowds of July and August are thinner. Lake Como specifically is seasonal — most venues close from November through March. If you want summer, plan for heat and crowds and build both into your timeline.
What legal requirements do American couples need to get married in Italy?
Getting legally married in Italy requires advance paperwork — an Atto Notorio, apostille certification, and translated documents. The process varies depending on whether you want a civil or religious ceremony. Many American couples choose to have a symbolic ceremony in Italy and complete the legal paperwork in the US before or after. A local Italian wedding planner who knows the legal requirements is essential.
Do you need a local wedding planner for an Italy destination wedding?
Yes — not optional. An Italian or truly specialized destination wedding planner who knows the vendors, the legal requirements, the venues, and the local logistics is genuinely necessary for a destination wedding of this complexity.
What is Villa Balbiano at Lake Como?
A 16th-century palazzo on the western shore of Lake Como — period furniture, crystal chandeliers, gilded mirrors, meticulously manicured gardens, and views of the lake and surrounding mountains. It’s the kind of venue that makes people feel like they’re living inside a painting. More at theheritage-collection.com.
What is the light like for photography in Italy?
Italy in late afternoon is one of the most beautiful light situations I’ve encountered anywhere. The golden hour in Tuscany, the light bouncing off the lake at Como, the way the Mediterranean catches the sun on the Amalfi Coast. It’s softer and warmer than almost anything on the East Coast of the United States. I’ve shot in France on the Riviera and the Italian light feels similar. It does something specific and extraordinary in the late afternoon. My Cap Ferrat post gives a sense of what European coastal light looks like in practice.
Do you travel to Italy for destination weddings?
Yes — I travel extensively for destination work and Italy is absolutely on the list of places I’d go without hesitation. If you’re planning a wedding in Italy, I’d love to hear about it. My destination wedding portfolio covers the full range of my international work.
Italy makes everything feel more beautiful. If your wedding is there, I’d love to hear about it.
