A destination wedding in Italy is a dream for many couples, and every year more of them make it happen. Most look first at Tuscany or Lake Como, and for good reason. But Italy has other regions with castles, vineyards, Renaissance towns and sea views, and far fewer weddings competing for the same dates.
This guide compares Marche with Tuscany and Lake Como, explains the legal steps for U.S. couples, and covers how far ahead to start planning.
Why is Italy so popular for destination weddings?
Italy combines beautiful settings, great food and wine, and a long tradition of hospitality, which makes it one of the world’s favorite wedding destinations. In 2025, Italy hosted 16,700 destination weddings for foreign couples, up 9.8 percent on 2024, according to Il Sole 24 Ore, reporting research by Centro Studi Turistici for Convention Bureau Italia and Italy for Weddings.
Americans lead that market. The same research found that 31.7 percent of all requests came from the United States.
Where do most couples get married in Italy?
Tuscany is the most popular region for destination weddings in Italy, followed by Lombardy, Campania, Piedmont and Sicily. The research reported by Il Sole 24 Ore names Lake Como, the Amalfi Coast and Chianti as the leading hotspots.
Popularity has a practical side. The most famous venues book up early for peak dates, and in high season the most visited areas are busy with other tourists too. For couples who want exclusivity, that is a reason to look further.
Why consider Marche for your Italy destination wedding?
Marche offers the same ingredients as Tuscany, including hill towns, castles, vineyards and farmhouse estates, plus a coastline, with far less wedding traffic. National Geographic calls it a “lesser-known region” set “between dramatic mountains and miles of coastline.”
The region also has settings with real romance. The castle of Gradara, near the border with Emilia-Romagna, is “one of the best-preserved Italian Medieval structures,” and legend links it to Paolo and Francesca, “the two lovers that Dante placed in his Second Circle of Hell,” according to Italia.it. Urbino, with its UNESCO-listed historic centre, and the cliffs and coves of the Conero Riviera add Renaissance and seaside options within the same region.
The trend is moving this way too. The same research reported by Il Sole 24 Ore notes that destination weddings increasingly “emphasise secondary destinations.”
How does Marche compare with Tuscany and Lake Como?
Tuscany offers the classic countryside wedding, Lake Como offers grand lakeside villas, and Marche offers a mix of castles, countryside and coast with more privacy. The right choice depends on the setting you picture and how much you value exclusivity.
| Tuscany | Lake Como | Marche | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best known for | Vineyards, villas and hill towns | Historic villas and lake views | Castles, hill towns, countryside and sea |
| Wedding popularity | The most popular region in Italy | A leading hotspot | Still a secondary destination |
| Setting options | Countryside and cities | Lake and gardens | Countryside, Renaissance towns and beaches |
| Guest experiences | Wine tours, Florence, Siena | Boat trips, lakeside towns | Wine, truffles, Urbino, the Conero coast |
| Crowds in peak season | High in famous areas | High around the lake | Lower in most areas |
What do U.S. citizens need to get legally married in Italy?
U.S. citizens need a valid passport, a birth certificate, proof that any previous marriage has ended, and a sworn declaration called the Dichiarazione Giurata. The U.S. Embassy in Italy explains that this declaration must be sworn before a U.S. consular officer in Italy, stating that there is no legal impediment to the marriage.
The declaration is then legalized at the local Prefettura, and the couple files a Declaration of Intention to Marry at the town hall where the wedding will take place. The embassy notes that civil banns are normally posted for two consecutive weeks, although this may be waived or shortened if neither partner is Italian. Depending on the consular district, an additional document called the Atto Notorio may also be required, as the embassy’s Rome district guide explains.
Should you choose a civil, religious or symbolic ceremony?
Choose a civil ceremony for a legally valid marriage at an Italian town hall, a Catholic ceremony if you want a church wedding with automatic legal effect, or a symbolic ceremony if you prefer to handle the legal marriage at home. The U.S. Embassy confirms that a Roman Catholic ceremony has civil validity, because “the priest will register the marriage with the civil authorities.”
Non-Catholic religious ceremonies need a separate civil ceremony to be legally recognized, the embassy adds. Many international couples choose a symbolic ceremony in Italy for its freedom of location and style, and complete the legal formalities before or after the trip.
How far in advance should you plan an Italy destination wedding?
Start at least nine months before the date, and earlier if you are set on peak season or a specific venue. That is the timeline we recommend on our luxury wedding in Italy page, because venues, legal paperwork and guest travel all take time to arrange.
For a step-by-step view of the process, read our guide on how to plan a wedding in Italy.
Do you need an Italy wedding planner?
For a destination wedding, a local planner saves time, stress and costly mistakes. A planner who knows the region can shortlist venues, manage suppliers, handle paperwork with the town hall, and coordinate guest transport and activities, all in Italian.
Guest logistics are often the part couples underestimate. Airport transfers, shuttles between hotel and venue, and excursions for guests who arrive early all need planning, especially in rural areas where public transport is limited.
How can Sweet Life Italy help plan your destination wedding in Italy?
At Sweet Life Italy, we plan luxury weddings in Italy in Marche and across the country, with venue selection, guest experiences and private transport from our own chauffeur service with English-speaking drivers. Your guests can turn the trip into a holiday with our bespoke Italian holidays, and you can extend your stay with an Italy honeymoon.
Tell us about your wedding and we will start with a video call to understand your vision. The first estimate is free.
About Sweet Life Italy. Sweet Life Italy is a certified incoming tour operator and destination management company based in Castelraimondo, in the Marche region, founded by Marco and Ilaria. We design weddings, honeymoons and private tours of Marche with private transport from our own chauffeur service.
