Of course they can! Here’s what you need to know to tie the knot in Italy!
Planning an elopement or a wedding in Italy is a dream for many, but it certainly comes with its own set of unique quirks. Whether you are looking at a clifftop in Amalfi or a chic urban venue in Milan, the experience is quite different from what you might expect in the UK or the US.
I’m Eleonora Monoscalco, a wedding interpreter in Italy with over 9 years’ experience, more than 50 positive reviews and an AITI attestation of quality and professional qualification (pursuant to Italian Law 4/2013).
In this article, my colleague Therese Marshall and I are going to compare the process of getting married in Italy with the US/UK way of doing it and how you can make your Italian wedding in Italy simple.
What documents do I need to get married in Italy?
The biggest hurdle for native English speakers is the paperwork. In both the UK and US, the process is relatively straightforward, but in Italy, it involves the nulla osta (a Certificate of No Impediment). Because of the heavy bureaucracy, many couples opt for a legal ceremony at home and a symbolic one in Italy to avoid the red tape.
Here is the complete list of documents you need to have:
- valid passports;
- birth certificates;
- proof that there is no legal impediment to the marriage;
- divorce or death certificates, if previously married;
- official translations of certain documents;
- apostilles or legalisation, where required;
- a declaration before the Italian authorities or consular officials.
To make things more complicated, some municipalities require an official, certified interpreter, while others accept any bilingual person. How can you find this out in advance? Well, you need to phone or email them, and hope that they reply soon – which isn’t always the case!
For example, the municipality of Sesto San Giovanni (Milano) requires a certified, professional interpreter, while Bologna municipality can do without one.
Since it’s not a big part of the budget, we suggest that you invest in this service for peace of mind.
What are Italian wedding customs?
Italian weddings are centred around family and, most importantly, food. In my beloved Yorkshire, we might keep things simple, but an Italian wedding feast is a marathon of regional delicacies.
In Southern Italy like the Campania region weddings often feel like a festival of the territory, featuring local specialities like the world-famous Buffalo Mozzarella.
Some Italian customs you may encounter include:
- Bomboniere and la borsa: You will likely encounter bomboniere (wedding favours for guests containing sugar-coated almonds) and la borsa, a silk bag the bride carries for guests to gift money.
- Witnesses: Unlike the large bridal parties in the US or UK, Italians usually have just one or two witnesses.
- Late celebrations: Italian weddings often continue well into the evening, especially in summer.
How much does a wedding cost in Italy?
This is the one-billion-dollar question! The cost of a wedding in Italy varies greatly depending on location, season, guest count, venue and level of service. A small elopement or intimate symbolic ceremony will obviously be much cheaper than a full destination wedding in Italy with guests, catering, music, flowers and accommodation for everyone.
Also, cost can vary greatly among different regions and cities.
So, the cost could be anything from a couple of hundred dollars up to €300,000+ for luxury events.
What we can do for your Italian wedding
The transition from a highly scheduled “to-the-minute” UK wedding to the fluid Italian style can be a shock. Whether you are navigating the industrial elegance of Milan or the sun-drenched hills of Caserta and Naples, having a professional team on your side is essential.
Our collaboration provides a seamless linguistic bridge, ensuring that the essence of your celebration is preserved and beautifully communicated:
- Interpreting: we ensure your ceremony and arrangements are legally valid and understood by everyone involved.
- Translation: we translate from English into Italian (or Spanish-to-Italian) the technical and legal documents required by Italian authorities, as well as your menus and any other type of document from Italian to English or Spanish.
- Cultural bridge: we help you navigate the differences in traditions, so your day remains stress-free.
- Other vendors: we put you in communication with photographers, wedding planners or any other vendor you may be looking for.
Let’s make your Italian wedding or elopement perfect
We believe that every wedding should be as effortless as it is beautiful. By combining our strengths, we offer a complete support system for couples across Campania and Milan.
- Let’s discuss your paperwork: we can help translate the essential legal documents required for your nulla osta.
- Let’s ensure you are heard: we provide professional interpreting for ceremonies to make sure your vows resonate with everyone present.
- Let’s bridge the culture gap: we offer guidance to help you and your guests feel at home with Italian customs.
Ready to start?
If you need a professional interpreter or translator for your wedding or elopement, feel free to drop us a message to find out how we can work together to bring your Italian wedding to life in Naples, Caserta, Milan or Lake Como, Lake Garda, Amalfi Coast or any other Italian city!