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. 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.
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 the difference
The region where you get married plays a central role in budget planning. Tuscany is particularly popular - and therefore also expensive. In 2025, it will remain the most popular region for so-called “destination weddings” from abroad. This popularity comes at a price: venues are often booked up early and demand correspondingly high rental prices.
Choice of location: Palazzo, villa, winery or agriturismo?
A palazzo in Florence, a Villa Medici in the Tuscan hills or a simple agriturismo in the countryside - each of these options not only offers different atmospheres, 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!
Flowers: Beautiful luxury
Flowers are a real cost factor in Italy, as the country produces very little itself. Many flowers have to be imported, which affects the price. A lavish flower arrangement for a ceremony or reception can easily cost several thousand euros - depending on the quantity, variety and season.
Music: DJ or live band?
A party without the right music is not a party! There are also big price differences here. A DJ with a console is the cheaper option. However, if you book a live band with a singer, you can easily pay two to three times as much. Live music creates a great atmosphere, but costs more - especially if several sets or special equipment are required.
Technology & light: often underestimated
Many Italian locations - especially rural properties - do not have sufficient lighting for an evening event. This is why specialized service providers are often used. Particularly popular: fairy lights. These romantic lights have a simple appearance, but are time-consuming to install: they have to be attached to special posts brought along, and setting them up requires time, expertise and an on-site appointment before the wedding.
Photography & Video: Memories that last
A good wedding photographer is essential - and you shouldn't cut corners here either. In Italy, photographers usually accompany the couple for 8 to 12 hours - including extensive post-processing of the pictures. This is reflected in the price. Above a certain number of guests, two photographers are often used, which increases the costs.
In recent years, more and more couples are turning to videographers who use drones and professional cameras to shoot emotional wedding films. This is also a cost factor that can easily amount to several thousand euros - but delivers a wonderful result.
Beauty: Focus on the bride & guests
Hair & make-up artists are also among the service providers whose services are often underestimated. The price may seem high at first glance - but there is much more to it than “just” the styling. The professionals travel to the location early in the morning, bring all their equipment with them and are available not only to the bride, but also to several guests. Many stay on site until the evening to freshen up the styling if necessary or to renew a look for dinner. Time, effort and professionalism make this service an important - and correspondingly expensive - item in the wedding budget. If you opt for a new styling before dinner, you will pay correspondingly more.
Bureaucracy: fees for foreign couples
A not insignificant point is the fees charged by the Italian municipalities for civil weddings. Couples who are not registered in the town often pay significantly higher fees. These can vary greatly from municipality to municipality - on average, you can expect to pay between €500 and €1,000.
Is getting married in Italy cheaper than in Germany?
In short: No. Italy used to be considered a cheap alternative for weddings with a vacation feeling - but that has changed. Today, a wedding in Italy is no longer cheaper than a wedding in Germany! The basic costs for a beautiful, well-organized celebration abroad are often higher than at home, if only because a wedding abroad lasts at least two days and not just one day as in your home country.
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.
Your wedding planner Camilla Poesio
A wedding in Italy is a dream come true - but it comes at a price. If you plan well, inform yourself and approach it with realistic expectations, you can still have an unforgettable celebration. In the end, it's not just how much you spend, but how good you feel about it.