How To Elope in Italy
Are you dreaming of traveling to elope in Italy? Italy is such an amazing country to visit and it’s super exciting to consider for your once in a lifetime adventure elopement!
From rich history and architecture, to arts and culture, to phenomenal natural landscapes, mountains, glaciers, volcanoes and beaches, you can experience a bit of everything when you choose a small wedding in Italy.
Would you like to visit coastal towns or rolling countryside? What about stunning beaches and ocean views? Rocky mountain terrain and epic views? There’s no shortage of natural sights to see in Italy!
For city lovers and nature lovers alike, Italy might be perfect for your adventure elopement.
Disclaimer: As of December 6, 2021, the CDC advises all U.S. citizens traveling to Italy to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 prior to travel. Check the CDC travel page for current updates.
Things You Need to Elope in Italy
Does planning to elope in Italy feel exciting, but just a tad overwhelming? When you’re thinking about how to elope in Italy, there’s a lot to figure out. But with some help, it can actually be a fun experience to plan your small wedding in Italy.
What are you envisioning for your elopement in Italy? Arts and culture? Incredible food and wine? Natural landscapes and earthly beauty?
An adventure elopement in Italy will give you options for all of the above.
Here’s how to elope in Italy including some of the most popular and beautiful locations in the country, including:
- Amalfi Coast
- Tuscany
- Florence
- Rome
- Venice
- Sicily
- Italian Alps
- Italian Dolomite Mountains
- Lake Como
When to Elope in Italy
Overall, Italy has a temperate Mediterranean climate with shorter hot summers and longer mild winters. Weather is going to vary depending on whether you’re heading to the northern, central, or southern part of the country. And keep in mind that along with the dry, hot summers there will be a higher volume of tourist traffic.
Therefore, to avoid the bulk of tourist traffic and experience the best weather, you may want to consider a spring or fall elopement in Italy.
April and May are beautiful months to elope, as well as the fall months of September and October. Of course, summer is amazing for many couples. Just be prepared for heavier tourist traffic, more expensive flights and accommodations, and hotter temperatures.
Getting Legally Married in Italy
There’s one big thing to consider when you’re planning your Italy elopement: Is your heart set on getting legally married in Italy? Or are you open to having your elopement ceremony in Italy but getting legally married in the U.S.?
Both are perfectly good options, it just all depends on what you want! Know that getting legally married in Italy as a U.S. citizen will require quite a bit more work. Not only will you have to get your documents translated and go through more paperwork, but you’ll need to have two to four witnesses who are over 18 and not related to you or your partner.
Here’s what you need if you want to elope in Italy and get legally married there:
- Valid passports for you, your partner, and witnesses
- Long-form birth certificates, professionally translated into Italian
- Two to four witnesses at your ceremony
- Official Italian language translator/interpreter
- Declaration of intent to marry
- Nulla osta form which states you’re free to marry by Italian and U.S. law. Note that the processing time for the Nulla osta is approximately two months.
- Atto notorio form, or affidavit, sworn by four unrelated to you witnesses who must appear in person before the Italian Consular Officer
- Divorce papers or death certificates for former spouse if applicable
On the other hand, if you want to elope in Italy, but legally get married in the United States, you’ll have fewer hoops to jump through.
Regulations vary by city, so once you decide on your elopement location, we can work together to get the process figured out and make sure you have all the documentation you’ll need.
Where to Elope in Italy
For the fun part… where will you elope in Italy?
Whether you’re into arts and architecture, rich culture and history, and incredible natural scenery, Italy has it all. Whether you’ve already been to Italy or are dreaming of your elopement and honeymoon as your first trip there, eloping in Italy is an amazing choice.
Here are some of the top locations for your small wedding in Italy that we’ll talk about:
- Northern Italy: Venice, Italian Alps, Italian Dolomite Mountains, Lake Como
- Central Italy: Rome, Tuscany, Florence
- Southern Italy: Sicily, Amalfi Coast
Venice
In northern Italy along the Adriatic Sea, Venice is an Italian elopement dream. Built on a group of small islands in the sea, there are no roads in Venice, just nearly 200 beautiful canals and narrow footpaths.
Explore quiet streets, Gothic and Renaissance palaces, iconic Saint Mark’s Basilica, and enjoy a place worlds away from your typical U.S. city!
Italian Alps
It’s a nature lover’s dream to visit the Italian Alps in northern Italy. Imagine saying your vows next to an incredible blue lake with immense snow-covered craggy mountains behind you.
What about saying your vows in a field of wildflowers? Trekking to explore one of many glaciers? Hiking one of the 128 peaks that exceed 13,000 feet?
There’s so much to explore in this area and I can’t recommend it enough for an adventure elopement in Italy.
Italian Dolomite Mountains
Part of the Italian Alps mountain range, the Dolomites are the ski lover’s dream as well as for those who want to do some epic hiking! Ancient hiking trails lead you through winding mountains with alpine lakes, meadows, and awe-inspiring panoramic views of the mountains. Sunrises here are particularly stunning.
For an insane view of the Dolomites, look into hiking Cadini di Misurina in the province of Belluno.
Lake Como
Lake Como is a resort city in northern Italy that is as breathtaking as it is fun and filled with adventure. The Alps in the distance meet the turquoise waters of Lake Como for a stunning backdrop. As one of the top three largest lakes in Italy, boat tours abound here, as well as tours of the historic residences and beautiful villas and gardens.
Rome
Vatican City, the Colosseum, the Roman Pantheon, catacombs, and Trevi Fountain… If history and architecture is up your alley, then Italy’s capital city of Rome is the place for your Italy elopement.
Explore the ancient city, indulge in incredible Italian food, and create the small wedding of your dreams with the gorgeous cityscape as your backdrop.
Tuscany
Tuscany in central Italy is a hub for culture, wine tasting in the vineyards, Renaissance architecture, and diverse landscapes. This is a stunning place to enjoy gorgeous views from ancient towns, but there’s also quite a bit of adventure to be had!
For the adventurous at heart, you can take a 4×4 tour through marble quarries, go high speed sailing and scuba diving, and even try paragliding.
Florence
Let’s talk about romance! As the capital of Tuscany, Florence is the arts and culture hub where you can soak in Renaissance art and architecture, visit galleries and museums, and wander the cobblestone streets for a glass of wine.
You’ll also get your share of nature as you’re surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful parks and gardens. Check out some of the flower gardens like the iris garden Giardino dell’Iris in the springtime. You can even try water biking! Yes, you can actually cycle your way around the city on top of the water. This is such a cool activity that is sure to make any trip memorable.
Sicily
Sicily is the largest Mediterranean island located off the southernmost part of the country.
Here you can experience beautiful beaches, quaint towns, coastal villages, archaeological sites and ruins, amazing food, and the largest active stratovolcano in Europe, Mount Etna. Mount Etna is the most active volcano in the world, erupting several times a year, and it’s truly a sight to behold!
Amalfi Coast Elopement
The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever see. It makes sense that this is a popular place for an Italian elopement!
Located in southern Italy on the Sorrentine Peninsula, you’ll be looking out at the stunning warm waters of the Salerno gulf and Tyrrhenian sea. Explore the picturesque coastal towns, baroque cathedrals, towers, villas and terraces. Then, partake in beach activities like sailing or motorboating, and even see the lemon groves used to make the world’s limoncello.
Learn More About Planning to Elope in Italy
Are you ready to start planning your romantic and adventurous Italy elopement? I’d be honored to help!
Which region of Italy speaks to you and your love? I’m here to help you find ceremony locations and help you with all the planning including itineraries, vendors, permitting, and everything else to make your Italy elopement be a time to remember forever.
As an adventure elopement photographer, I help all of my clients coordinate travel, ceremony locations and activities based on your dreams for your unique small wedding in Italy.
