Are you thinking of getting married in Italy?
If you are thinking about or planning on getting married in Italy, then this article is just for you! As someone who films weddings for a living and more importantly Films weddings in Italy I thought I write this article/blog to share my unique perspective and things that I think a couple should be aware of when planning a Wedding in Italy.
Firstly, I want to say that if you are are considering Italy for your wedding destination then you are definitely choosing one the best wedding destinations possible. Why do I say that? Well, I honestly think you’d be hard pressed to find another destination that provides such a stunning romantic backdrop as does Italy. As I type this I can’t help but think of a line in one of my all time favourite movies; Room with a View, and in that film there is a blossoming romance between the two main characters; George & Lucy and in this particular scene they have gone out for a ride with friends to take in the stunning Italian countryside around Florence and before the pivotal moment in the scene- the kiss– Judy dench who is playing the character Eleanor Lavish (writer) say’s to her friend; “…there is something in the Italian landscape that causes the most stolid of natures to romance..” No sooner does she say that than the cameras movie to a scene of a hazy poppy field in which stands Lucy to soon be enveloped into the arms of George, their first kiss. I love that Merchant Ivory movie and I can’t help but think of it when I am filming some gorgeous wedding in Italy, in fact I will include a link to the scene I have just mentioned it worth looking at:http:/https://youtu.be/J-gFsXfbF08
Yes the Italian landscape is truly stunning, terraced hills with neatly planted vines and olive trees, statuesque Cypress trees waving gently in the warm pine scented air, I feel myself relaxing just describing it now! Then there is the people, in a word, charming. I think back to Laura & Paul’s wedding which I have just recently filmed in the charming authentically Italian town of Santa Maria Di Castellabate in southern Italy. As they walked through the cobbled narrow streets of the town they were greeted the the shouts of ‘Auguri’ – ‘best wishes’, in Italian. In Italian culture marriage in honoured and very much valued and you can see that the locals are flattered that a couple should choose their country to celebrate their love for one another by getting married there.
What a couple should know about getting married in Italy?
Anyone can choose to be married in Italy, as there’s no legal residency requirement for a wedding. Whether foreign or not, you will have to provide paperwork that certifies your identity. You also must prove that there are no legal obstacles standing in the way of your marriage. A foreign national marrying an Italian citizen does not need to have a visa to hold a wedding in Italy.
Couples must be at least 18 years old to legally marry, and under-18s must have written parental consent.
That’s the legal side of things but then there are all the other important details to plan and organise, like the wedding venue, the catering, the accommodation, not just the couple and their immediate family but what about all the guests too? Then there is transportation, flowers, make-up and hair not to mention the Photographer and Videographer, a lot to think about right? In my mind it makes much more sense for a couple to hire the services of a wedding planner especially for a destination wedding, yes there is the added costs of hiring the services of a wedding planner but a good wedding planner should really pay for herself. What do I mean? Well a good wedding planner should save you money as she or he will likely know the best places and best suppliers and even be able to negotiate better rates than you perhaps could. Then there is the stress factor; a good wedding planner should be able to mitigate all that stress that the couple could very much do without on their wedding day, having a professional wedding planner on board leave you to focus on what’s truly important on your wedding day- each other.
Talking about this subject brings to mind a superb wedding planner that I can wholeheartedly recommend for those planning on getting married in Italy, particularly Santa Maria Di Castellabate and that is Julie Mckenzie from My Secret Italy.
In filming weddings for some time now I have come across quite a few wedding planners and coordinators in my travels but none like Julie. Whys do I say that? Well, Julie will not just take on the responsibility of making sure your wedding runs smoothly like clockwork, she adopts you! Honestly, having Julie looking after you is like having your Big Sister batting on your team she really gets personally involved with her clients and you would think they were cherished relatives the way she cares for them. I recently had the pleasure of Filming a wedding for one of Julie’s clients and I felt compelled to make a short video for Julie to help people see what she does and the sort of magic and sparkle that Julie adds, you can view this video here: http:/https://youtu.be/A0bea_AfLLo
Why capturing your Wedding in Italy in a Cinematic Wedding Film is a must.
Ok I am biased, after all I am a wedding videographer :) However, I honestly do think that capturing the magic of your wedding in Italy is a must and here are three reasons why:
- A Well shot and edited Wedding Film will not only captures all those amazing moments and emotions from your wedding day in Film but also in sound too. A couple might not want the added expense of a videographer, but just think about this; you no doubt will invest a fair amount of money on the dress, flowers, venue, hair and make-up etc but those things, as important as they are, are enjoyed and experienced once. The wedding day goes by so quick and if you don’t have it documented forever in film, will your memories of the day alone be enough? You no doubt will have the photograph’s but nothing and I mean nothing will capture and preserve your amazing Italian Wedding quite like a cinematic style wedding film.
- Ok you managed to do it. Do what I hear you ask? Get all the people that matter most to you out to Italy to celebrate your wedding with you- this means so much to you. A well-produced wedding film will not only capture the wedding and the two of you but all the people who were there to share it with you, how valuable is that? Also, think of those who may not be able to fly out and witness your amazing wedding in Italy for whatever reason; surely wouldn’t it be nice for them to at least experience that with you by seeing your Wedding Film?
- The Future. Many couples getting married plan a family and having children who one day will be able to look back on their parents wedding rather than just hear about it is surely is something of great value. Yes, you cannot turn back the clock and if you choose not to have a wedding film, it could be something you end up regretting, but if you do employ the services of a good videographer, you will be able to press the rewind button and experience your amazing Italian wedding over and over again.
Here are some useful links if you are planning on getting married in Italy:
Getting married in Italy: A complete Guide
https://transferwise.com/gb/blog/getting-married-in-italy-guide
My Secret Italy:
Photographer: www.andreaellison.co.uk
