It's a bit like asking how much a house in Tuscany costs without specifying how big it should be, how many rooms it should have, where exactly it should be located - and so on.
The same applies to the cost of a wedding in Italy: the cost of a wedding in Italy depends on many factors: the number of guests, the duration of the celebration, the region, the location, the catering, the technology, the service providers... The list is long - and individual.
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Camilla Poesio Events
How much does a wedding in Italy cost?
How much does a wedding in Italy cost? I am often asked this question—and it is anything but easy to answer.
Wedding in Italy – individual costs for your unforgettable day
Number of guests: The biggest influencing factor
Perhaps the most important cost factor is the number of guests. In Italy, you usually pay per head - both for the menu and the location. So if you invite 30 guests, you pay significantly less than a couple with 100 guests. This is particularly noticeable when it comes to the food: from around 60 guests, a classic menu with three courses, a high-quality aperitif, Italian-style wedding cake and service staff costs around €160 per person. That quickly adds up - especially if you invite a generous number of guests. A high-quality menu usually includes a generous aperitif with sophisticated finger food, a served three-course menu, the classic Italian wedding cake and drinks. If you would like special extras such as regional specialties, live cooking stations or a snack offer for the late evening hours, you should plan for additional costs.
Weddings in Italy usually last two days - at least
Unlike in Germany, weddings in Italy are not limited to a few hours. Many couples opt for an event lasting at least two days - arrival, welcome dinner, wedding day and possibly a brunch the next day. Each additional item on the program increases the costs: more food, more drinks, more service providers, more rental days for the location.
Where to get married? The region makes all the difference
The region in which you get married plays a central role in budget planning. Particularly popular – and therefore also expensive – is Tuscany. Even in 2025, it remains the most sought-after region for so-called “destination weddings” from abroad. This popularity comes at a price: venues are often booked out early and charge correspondingly high rental fees.
Choosing the Location: Palazzo, Villa, Winery, or Agriturismo?
A palazzo in Florence, a Medici villa in the Tuscan hills, or a simple agriturismo in the countryside – each of these options offers not only a different atmosphere but also different price categories.
Food: One of the biggest budget items
A decisive point is whether the location has its own restaurant or whether an external catering service needs to be organized. External caterers are often more expensive in Italy because they not only bring the food, but also all the equipment: Tables, chairs, crockery, glasses, tablecloths, mobile kitchen and, of course, staff. This causes logistical effort - and costs.
Don't forget taxes!
An important point that is often overlooked: VAT is higher in Italy than in Germany. It is 22% on almost all services, and still 10% on food. These amounts are often not included in the first offers - the prices are shown net, plus VAT, which - depending on the product or service - can be between 10% (e.g. on food) and 22%. So be careful when planning your budget!
The most important cost factors
Flowers: Beautiful Luxury
Flowers are a real cost factor in Italy, as the country produces only a small amount itself. Many blooms have to be imported, which impacts the price. A lavish floral arrangement for the ceremony and reception can easily cost several thousand euros – depending on quantity, variety, and season.
Music: DJ or Live Band?
A party without the right music is no party! Here, too, there are large price differences. A DJ with a console is the more affordable option. However, those who book a live band with a singer quickly pay two to three times as much. Live music creates atmosphere but comes at a higher cost – especially if multiple sets or special equipment are required.
Technology & Lighting: Often Underestimated
Many Italian venues – especially rural estates – do not have sufficient lighting for an evening event. That’s why specialized service providers are often brought in. Particularly popular: string lights (the so-called “fairy lights”). These romantic lights may look simple but are complex to install: they must be attached to specially brought posts, and setup requires time, expertise, and an on-site inspection before the wedding.
Photography & Video: Memories That Last
A good wedding photographer is essential – and this is not an area to cut corners. In Italy, photographers typically accompany the couple for 8 to 12 hours – including extensive post-editing of the images. This is reflected in the price. For weddings with a larger number of guests, two photographers are often hired, increasing the cost.
In recent years, more and more couples have also chosen videographers who create emotional wedding films using drones and professional cameras. This, too, is a cost factor that can easily amount to several thousand euros – but delivers a beautiful result.
Beauty: Bride & Guests in the Spotlight
Hair and makeup artists are another service that is often underestimated. At first glance, the price may seem high – but there is much more behind it than “just” the styling. Professionals arrive at the venue early in the morning, bring all their equipment, and work not only for the bride but also for several guests. Many stay until the evening to refresh the styling if needed or to create a new look for dinner. Time, effort, and professionalism make this service an important – and accordingly costly – item in the wedding budget. Those who opt for a new styling before dinner will pay extra.
Extras: There are no limits to the imagination
Of course, there are countless extras beyond the basic costs that couples can treat themselves to - depending on their taste and budget: new styling for the bride before the dinner, ice cream vans or cocktail bars for the reception, light fountains for the wedding cake, colorful smoke for photos with a wow effect, vintage cars for the couple shoot, live painters or magicians to entertain the guests, dancers, fire shows or acrobats.
There are no limits to creativity here - but no financial limits either.
Bureaucracy as a cost factor and comparison with Germany
Civil weddings in Italy incur fees, especially for foreign couples, which vary depending on the municipality and are usually between €500 and €1,000. In general, a wedding in Italy is no cheaper than in Germany today, as planning a celebration lasting several days abroad often incurs higher basic costs than a comparable celebration at home.
