How Much Does a Destination Wedding in Italy Cost? Our personal Guide (2026 Edition)
It all begins with an idea.
If you're dreaming of celebrating your wedding under the Italian sun surrounded by historic villas, perfect vineyards, and food that deserves its own love letter you’re not alone. Italy has become one of the most sought-after places for destination weddings, especially for couples from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
But the big question always lands first:
How much does a destination wedding in Italy cost?
For a standard destination wedding in Italy, you can expect an average investment between €40,000 and €120,000+, depending on the region, venue type, guest count, and the level of luxury. Elopements and micro-weddings can be much more affordable, while iconic regions like Lake Como and Amalfi Coast sit at the top end of the spectrum.
Below, you’ll find a detailed FAQ that covers every major question couples ask when planning their Italian celebration from planning timelines to venue suggestions, from cost breakdowns to cultural insights.
FAQ: Everything you need to know about the cost of a destination wedding in Italy
How far in advance should we plan a wedding in Italy?
Not as far as you might think! Most italian venues do not open their calendars 2 years in advance and they typically book 12-18 months ahead. The prices of the services involved vary every year and venues don’t want to send out idealistic quotes.
Aerial view of Castello di Solfagnano
2 How much more expensive is Lake Como compared to Tuscany?
A lot more expensive! Lake Como is the most exclusive wedding region in Italy and here is why:
Why Lake Como costs more:
Villa rentals often start at €20,000–€40,000+ for one day.
It has a powerful appeal due to Hollywood movies
Food & catering services are more expensive due to logistics.
Photographers, videographers, florists, and planners charge higher rates because of the more luxury oriented clientele
Boat transportation, permits, and limited access roads add complexity.
Tuscany, on the other hand, offers:
A wider selection of venues: there are literally thousands of venues with the most appealing in the Florence and Siena area and so many hidden gems in the areas of Lucca, Grosseto and Pisa.
Lower rental costs, there are amazing venues that you can rent out for one night for 4-5000 euros
Easier logistics and supplier availability: it’s very usual that couples rent a castle or villa that can accommodate all the guests so no transportation is required for the days of the event.
A more flexible price range for all vendors.
Beware of transportation costs in Florence: one cost that couples usually don’t consider is the private taxi in town. They need to be booked far in advance and can cost thousands of euros. This is why we suggest booking a venue that can accommodate all your guests. The countryside areas like Chianti and Val d’Orcia have more choice of venues with these characteristics.
OUR FAVORITE VENUES IN TUSCANY
These are venues where we loved working and that offer beauty, quality, and a range of budgets:
VILLA CATIGNANO
VILLA MEDICEA DI LILLIANO
CASTELLO DI VELONA
DIEVOLE WINE RESORT
TENUTA DI ARTIMINO
BORGO STOMENNANO
VILLA CORSINI A MEZZOMONTE
IL SALVIATINO
VILLA LA SELVA WINE RESORT
CASTELLO MONTEGUFONI
BORGO LATICASTELLI
BORGO CORSIGNANO
TERRE DI NANO
VILLA BOSCARELLO
VILLA LE FONTANELLE
VILLA GAMBERAIA
CASTELLO DI RISTONCHI
CASTELLO IL PALAGIO
VILLA GRABAU
CASTELLO VICCIOMAGGIO
Aerial view of Villa Medicea di Lilliano, photo by Rellini art studio editorial wedding photographers in Tuscany
3. What are the most affordable italian regions to get married?
Very cheap could mean not ready for destination weddings! There areas where you will have the most amazing support to create a memorable destination wedding and areas without the perfect support.
Umbria is probably the best option for this who want a perfect wedding without spending too much
Piedmont is getting popular because of the amazing hills and incredible wines. Elegance without the “celebrity tax”
Puglia: while some venues are getting very expensive, there is such a huge choice of affordable venues. All the area has a low cost of living which reflects on the wedding local industry.
Dolomites are a good option for those who wish to be closer to the mountains and have a less popular option. We recently shot a wedding at Schloss Freudenstein in Bolzano and we loved it so much!
4. Who is supposed to pay for a destination wedding in Italy?
Aerial view of Villa La Selva wine resort in Tuscany
Traditionally here is how most couples structure it:
Couples pay for:
wedding days food & beverage (open bar is always so appreciated!)
venue rental
2-3 days events (welcome dinner, brunch, activities)
accommodation for immediate family or bridal party
Guests pay for:
flights
accommodation (unless the couple choose otherwise)
all the rest of the days of their stay
Some couples also organize and pay for additional group activities like:
wine tastings
day trips
boat tours
cooking classes
city visits
5. Do I need a wedding planner in Italy? and what is the cost?
It depends on the venue and the region. It also depends on the numbers of your wedding.
OUR PERSONAL TAKE: Since a good program of the day affect the work of the other suppliers, sometimes it also happens that some of them (especially photographers) require having a wedding planner to book their services. It’s not our case at all! but we have to admit that we had weddings where the schedule was planned so badly that it affected badly the final result of our photos.
VENUES in Italy that WE LOVE that NEEDED A WEDDING PLANNER:
Borgo Stomennano
Hotel Caruso in Ravello
Castello Baccaresca
Villa Aura del Lago
Villa Pianciani
Castello la Leccia
Casale dei Pasquinelli
Villa Geno in Como
Villa Le Fontanelle
Tonnara di Scopello
VENUES in Italy that WE LOVE that DON’T NEED A WEDDING PLANNER
( because they already have coordinators)
Villa Corsini a Mezzomonte
Castello di Petrata
Villa Ravano
Monastero Santa Margherita
Casal Romito (Roma)
relais Villa Monte Solare
Castello di Montignano
Borgo Castello Panicaglia
Niki’s resort
Castello di Ristonchi
Aerial view of Villa di Catignano
The cost of a wedding planner in Italy vary between 4000 euros and 8000 euros, it’s job that requires sometimes even one year of preparing and up to 5000 emails sent!
These are wedding planners that we loved working with:
Original Tuscan wedding
Michela Lunardi
Dream on weddings
Efffetti
AEB Tuscan wedding
Beatrice Italy weddings
Wed in Florence
Savvy event studio
Best Indian Weddings
Rossini weddings
Giulia Barabani
Tuscan tours weddings
Mr & Mrs wedding in Italy
Luca Minelli Lments
Leonora Wedding
6. Why are so many Americans getting married in Italy?
Italy venues are cheaper, especially if you consider the cost of 2-3 days events. I can cost 1/3 than in the USA
It’s a bust in travel experience for guests
The food and the wine
The weather is ideal for outdoor celebrations
Mixed nationality couples find Italy a great middle ground
You can actually get married legally in Italy: we suggest relying on a local wedding planner with good experience in the legal papers. It’s possible also to get married in churches for an American couple!
The wedding industry in Italy has evolved enormously in the past 20 years and offers:
stunning medieval venues rich with history and majestic
the best photographers in the world that set the trends for luxury wedding couples
Amazing food caterers
The best Wedding planners from all over the world do weddings in Italy
7. What is the cost of good DJ in Italy?
When considering the cost for a DJ also consider the cost for audio and lights equipement. For smaller weddings, an experienced DJ con provide all that is needed, can also take care of the SIAE tax. For this reason a good DJ will cost from 1000 euros up to 5000 euros.
There is another category of DJ that also entertain guests with a more artistic vision, their cost can be very high and it’s frequent to see international DJ’s playing music at weddings in Italy.
8. What is the cost of a good beauty team in Italy?
Here in Italy there are hair dressers and Make up artists working alone but we strongly suggest to hire a team used to work seamlessly. They will be used to working shoulder by shoulder, sometimes at the same time. This will reduce the risk of running late.
Our Take: there are some professionals not used to working in the chaotic moments prior to a wedding and ask for other professionals to leave the room: this makes the job of photographers and videographers hard or even impossible and sometimes affect also the job of other professionals involved in the day. Hiring a team is your insurance!
Also running late is very common and you definitely don’t want to feel that stress. The moments between the beauty touch and the ceremony are those quick moments that photographer use to create the most stunning portraits aiming to perfection, and we had weddings where we simply didn’t have the time for that.
Maggie getting ready with her beauty team at Forte Sorgnano
The cost of one professional doing both hair and Makeup is around 500-700 euros
The cost of a team is 600-1000 euros
There are factors affecting the cost for example if travel is included. Some professionals include free trials while some others offer this with a payment. Another factor is how many people have to be treated on the day: is it only the bride or also the bridal party?
Some of our favorite Beauty team we usually work with:
Vera Osminina
Pamela Sanchez & Margarita
Oh My Blush
LBW
Belaya
Geraldine Mouton G Makeup
Francesca Erre
Beautically Correct
Linda Lynn
9. What is the cost for Food Caterers?
This cost can vary a lot depending on the areas and regions, but also if the venue has a kitchen or you have to rely on external caterers.
In regions like Tuscany or Umbria the cost is between 120 and 200 euros per person. This usually don’t include wine and bar.
In Lake Como the cost may rise between 250 and 300 euros per person
10. What is the 80-20 rule?
80% of your wedding cost and impact comes from 20% of your decisions. The big impact are VENUE, PHOTOGRAPHER, GUEST COUNT.
By focusing your budget on these top priorities you create the highest value for your wedding day while keeping expenses under control.
Candid bridal party photo at Borgo Colognola
Blog Post Title Three
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Four
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.