The Devil is in the details ...

Civil wedding ceremonies in Italy are distinguished by the following facts:

- Civil ceremonies are officiated by an Italian authority and arelegally recognized in your country.
- Ceremony is performed in Italian by Mayor or civil registrar, with an official Interpreter
- Ceremony consists in a mix between the articles of the Italian civil code and traditional marriage vows
- Ceremony lasts about twenty minutes
- Two witnesses are necessary
- Civil ceremony by law must take place in buildings approved by the Italian government.
- Outdoor civil ceremony can be performed only in certain locations approved by the Italian authorities. Agencies offering civil weddings out of the town hall, perform religious ceremonies with legal validity, not the traditional and real Italian civil ceremony.
- Civil ceremonies in Italy can be customized with elements that express your personality and values: music, readings, poetry and personal vows.

For U.S. Citizens:

Couples who wish to be married in Italy must follow specific governmental requirements. They must appear together with two witnesses before the Ufficiale di Stato Civile (Civil Registrar) of the area where the marriage is to take place and file a declaration of intent to marry. When making this declaration, the couple must submit the following required documentation:

1. U.S. passports (U.S. Armed Forces personnel must submit military ID).
2. Birth certificates, preferably noting the names of both parents.
3. Legal evidence of termination of any previous marriage.
4. Parental or legal guardianship consent to the marriage of anyone under the age of 21.
5. Affidavit from U.S. legal authority certifying that there are no impediments to the marriage under U.S. law. Since there is no federal registry of marriages in the United States, this obligation is fulfilled by providing both of the following:

a) Affidavit sworn before a U.S. Consular Officer in Italy, in which the applicants state that there are no hindrances to their marriage under U.S. law. Armed Forces personnel must also submit a consent to the marriage from their Commanding Officer. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate must be contacted for an appointment prior to departing the United States.

b) Affidavit (ATTO NOTORIO) sworn by two witnesses appearing for this purpose before an Italian Consular Officer outside Italy, or before an authorized agency in Italy (mayor, local public registrar or notary), in which the witnesses verify that there are no holdups to the marriage under U.S. law.
Once the declaration and the documents have been recorded, it is customary for a marriage announcement to be posted at the local city hall for two consecutive Sundays prior to the date of the wedding. This condition is often waved when neither party is an Italian citizen nor resides in Italy.
The wedding ceremony can take place anytime after the fourth day following the second Sunday of the posting or at any time after the posting is waived. Civil ceremonies are performed by the Ufficiale di Stato Civile, while ceremonies performed by Roman Catholic clergy must guarantee that the marriage is recorded with the local civil records office. Religious ceremonies performed by non-Roman Catholic clergy are administered by a series of legal requirements. To ensure the legality of the marriage, most non-Roman Catholic clergy advise having the religious ritual preceded by a civil ceremony. It is advised that U.S. citizens planning to be wed in Italy obtain the Atto Notorio before leaving the United States in order to avoid any problems associated with locating two witnesses to perform this function. Documents issued outside of Italy must be accompanied by expert translations into Italian, be affixed with an Apostille, and be authenticated by an Italian Consular Officer.
Catholic weddings in Italy
Needless to say that in Italy can be found the most beautiful and ancient churches of the world and locations where to celebrate your catholic wedding ceremony in Italy are limitless. Specific Catholic requirements have to be met in order to perform a Catholic wedding in Italy:
- Provide a permission from your Parish Bishop and attend Pre-cana classes as well as provide the necessary baptism and confirmation certificates.
- If you have been divorced and the wedding was not officially annulled, you cannot marry in the Catholic church
- Paperwork have to be issued within 6 months of the proposed wedding date, but not before otherwise they will expire.
- Religious paperwork need to be received by the Italian Curia at least 2 months prior the wedding.
- Catholic weddings in Italy can be legally binding
- Depending on the church location you might be asked to have the civil ceremony before arriving in Italy.
- Mixed religion wedding are allowed only if approved by your Parish Bishop
- Ceremonies can be celebrated in English or Italian (with interpreter)
- Most of the priests prefer to receive directly from spouses a church donation as a courtesy gesture.
- Sensitivity is required when choosing the wedding dress. No bare shoulders
We invite you to explore the most popular and enchanting churches available for Catholic weddings in Italy.

Protestant Weddings in Italy
There is a wide range of religious practices under the Protestant religious groups. The differences in theology and practice are reflected in their wedding services. Protestants are Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians and others. The Protestant wedding differs from that of other religions in that it is a worship service through which the will of God is served and the Lordship of Jesus is proclaimed. The wedding guests are participants in the service by sharing in hymns, scriptural readings and responses to the couple's exchange of vows.
Italy is predominantly Catholic therefore Protestant churches can be found only in fairly large cities such as Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples. There is also the possibility to perform protestant ceremonies in beautiful villas with private chapels or outdoor in romantic and secluded gardens.
Protestant weddings in Italy can be also legal binding if spouses meet all the necessary requirements. For more information contact our planners.

Symbolic or commitment weddings in Italy

The symbolic ceremony is the right choice for those who prefer not worry about completing documents for a civil or religious ceremony. This type of wedding is no legally binding and spouses have the freedom to personalize the ceremony in such a way that it reflects completely their values and beliefs.
The content of a symbolic or commitment ceremony will vary from couple to couple, and is always tailored to the needs of each individual couple. The ceremony can be as traditional as you wish, or relaxed and unstructured. It can be performed by a pastor, an Italian officer or a family member…and you can include personal vows, favourite songs, poetry, religious elements or pagan rituals.
In addition to this symbolic ceremonies can be performed in the most spectacular settings such as a medieval courtyard, a beautiful vineyard, or a romantic Italian garden.
Symbolic or Commitment wedding ceremonies are a perfect choice to celebrate your union in Italy.

Renewal of vows in Italy

What is a renewal of vows or re-affirmation ceremony?
This is simply a ceremony that celebrates the union and evolution of your relationship. It is requested by couples who are already married and want to renew their commitment.
In creating such a ceremony it is very important to reflect the history of the couple since they met as well as include their hope for the future. In making the vows, some spouses may want to include their original marriage vows and let also guests write their wishes for their future. The script of the ceremony can be similar to a traditional wedding ceremony.
Vow renewals are a beautiful way to deepen your love to one another. Italy will make this event even more unforgettable and romantic!