How Much Does a Destination Wedding in Italy Cost? Our personal Guide (2026 Edition)

Written By Controluce srls

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

 

  1. 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:

  1. VILLA CATIGNANO

  2. VILLA MEDICEA DI LILLIANO

  3. CASTELLO DI VELONA

  4. DIEVOLE WINE RESORT

  5. TENUTA DI ARTIMINO

  6. BORGO STOMENNANO

  7. VILLA CORSINI A MEZZOMONTE

  8. IL SALVIATINO

  9. VILLA LA SELVA WINE RESORT

  10. CASTELLO MONTEGUFONI

  11. BORGO LATICASTELLI

  12. BORGO CORSIGNANO

  13. TERRE DI NANO

  14. VILLA BOSCARELLO

  15. VILLA LE FONTANELLE

  16. VILLA GAMBERAIA

  17. CASTELLO DI RISTONCHI

  18. CASTELLO IL PALAGIO

  19. VILLA GRABAU

  20. 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

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