Italy Elopement Guide: Unveiling La Dolce Vita - How to Elope in Enchanting Italy
As a country full of romance, beautiful architecture, and some of the best food (and wine) in the world, Italy is a top destination for elopements! There's so much to do and so many incredible places to see when you elope in Italy - explore the streets of Venice by vespa or gondola, hike through the peaks of the Dolomites, or eat your way through the Italian countryside. In this guide, I'll tell you everything you need to know about planning an elopement in Italy - from choosing the perfect date to finding the best places to exchange vows!
The Best Time to Elope in Italy
One of the first things you'll do when planning your elopement is set a date! Choosing the right season for your big day can help you prepare for what your elopement will look like on the day of your ceremony. And, since so many places in Italy are popular vacation destinations, knowing when and how to avoid crowds means you can have a little more privacy.
Weather in Italy
In general, Italy is a warm country with a high humidity because it's surrounded by the sea, except for the mountains - so you should check out the weather for your specific spot when you decide where you want to elope!
The farther south you go, the warmer it gets! Summers are extremely hot in places like Sicily, but the northern mountain ranges get lots of rain and thunderstorms. It's a great time to swim in mountain lakes or take a dive in the ocean, but the streets are usually crowded, and it’s a popular time to visit.
In the winter, it snows in the Alps and Dolomites - even sometimes as far south as Tuscany. The south rarely sees snow, but from November until April it can be pretty rainy. Winter is a good time to visit southern Italy since it's still pretty warm, but make sure to bring layers or an umbrella!
Spring and fall are some of the best times to elope in Italy - fewer crowds and mild weather mean you'll be able to comfortably explore some of the popular destinations without overheating or being too cold. Keep in mind that high elevation spots in the mountains are often snowy from around October to June, so be prepared if you’re planning to visit the peaks!
Avoiding Crowds When You Elope in Italy
When you head to a popular destination like Italy for your elopement, you'll find a lot of other visitors wanting to experience its beauty too! You probably don't want a bunch of strangers crowding around while you say your vows, so here are a few tips on how to avoid photo bombers when you elope.
Summer is the most popular season to visit Italy, and spring and fall are the best times to visit if you want to avoid crowds - you'll see fewer people, but you'll still get warm, comfortable weather for hiking in the countryside or learning about the rich history of ancient Rome.
Sunrise or sunset elopements are another great way to avoid a crowd! There's typically fewer people out and about earlier and later in the day - plus, having the sun rise or set behind you during your ceremony is so dreamy. Weekday elopements are also a great option, since people are usually busy mid-week, so hikes, beaches, and even the more tourist-y areas are all a bit less crowded.
The Best Places to Elope in Italy
Choosing where to elope is one of the most exciting parts of planning your elopement, whether you want to hike through the mountains of northern Italy, lounge on the beaches of the southern coast, or explore the quaint countryside villages. Here are a few ideas, and some of the best places to elope in Italy!
The Dolomites
Eloping in the Dolomites can feel like a fairytale - with brilliant blue lakes, charming villages, and picturesque mountains. Whether you want to hike the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, rent a wooden boat on Pragser Wildsee, or hit the slopes in Marmolada - there's so much to do! After a day of skiing, retreat from the slopes in Marmolada at this adorable rustic chalet or unwind in a sauna at the Moseralm hotel, just steps from the Carezza ski area.
Amalfi Coast
South of Naples, colorful towns can be found nestled between the rugged coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the towering cliffs of the Lattari Mountains - the Amalfi Coast is perfect for an idyllic coastal elopement! The views are incredible, with miles of ocean and adorable houses that dot the coastline. You can wake up to a view of the sea, just steps from the rocky beaches found on the coast! Stay at this apartment with a terrace, just minutes from restaurants and the beach, or soak in the pool at the luxurious Ravello Art Resort, built on the rocky cliffs of the coast with comfortable hotel rooms or apartments.
Elba Island
Isola d'Elba is a quaint, tropical island off the coast of Northwest Italy. Though it's only 12 miles wide, you'll find a variety of landscapes - from high mountain roads surrounded by lush Mediterranean forests to the red sand beaches on the coast. The only way to get there is by ferry from Torremar or Moby, but it's only a 40 minute ride! And this means that Elba Island is t less busy than some of the other islands, so it makes a great elopement destination.
There are so many things to do, so stay a few days (or weeks), and you can rent this apartment with a pool in Lacona or go glamping with a view in the mountains of Capoliveri.
Bonus:
I’ve also written a blog on getting married in Lake Como, CLICK HERE to read it!
How to Get Legally Married in Italy
When you elope in Italy, it's usually easier to sign the papers at home. Getting legally married in Italy as a U.S. citizen is a bit of a complicated process - including extra steps at home and when you get there. Unless one of you is baptized in the Catholic church, you'll have to do a civil ceremony officiated by the mayor. On top of your passport and birth certificate, you'll need to prove you can legally get married in the state you live in, and a declaration of intention to marry in the city your elopement is in. If you want to say your vows and make it official on the day you elope in Italy, you can check out the U.S. embassy website for more information on how to get married overseas.
Things to Do When You Elope in Italy
Now that you've decided where you'll get married, it's time to think about how you'll turn your elopement into an adventure! When you head across the pond for your elopement, you'll probably want to explore some of the incredible things that Italy has to offer and, as they say, "Do as the Romans Do."
Take a Gondola Ride
What's more romantic than a sunset gondola ride through the canals of Venice? There are tons of gondola tours available on the Grand Canal throughout the main tourist areas of the city - you just go up to one of the gondoliers to ask for a ride! The boats typically hold up to 5 passengers, but you can reserve a private ride if you want to keep it just the two of you. For a more quiet ride, head away from areas that have water taxis and vaporettis.
Go Wine Tasting
Wineries are everywhere in Italy - from the Piedmont region to Sicily, you'll find some of the best wines in the world. Sicily has more vineyards than every other region of Italy, making it the best place to visit if you're hoping to do some wine tasting - every region has something to offer, though! Whether you visit Tuscany, Puglia, or Veneto, you'll have a unique experience with plenty of different types of wine for every palette.
Eat!
Italy is the perfect place for a culinary adventure - taste fresh risotto, try some sea urchin roe, and pick up a handmade cannoli for dessert. While you'll find good eats everywhere, the Emilia-Romagna region is a peaceful foodie haven - home of parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, tortellini, and even gelato!
Elopement Packages in Italy
Planning your elopement is a big task! Finding the perfect spot for your ceremony, booking your flights, and figuring out your marriage license can all seem overwhelming - that's why my elopement packages in Italy are uniquely curated just for you, and I'll be there every step of the way to make sure you have the best day ever. If you're thinking about eloping in Italy, contact me to book a free consultation call, and let’s start planning your dream day!