What to Pack for a Wedding in Italy?

Organizing a wedding can sometimes feel like solving a complex puzzle to ensure nothing is forgotten on the big day. Long-term preparation is the best way to ease your mind and ensure everything is in place. Our expert wedding planners, specialized in organizing weddings abroad, share this wedding packing list of essential items to ensure your wedding day goes smoothly.

Essentials Wedding Packing list: The Outfits and Accessories

Pre and Post-Wedding Outfits

Every element of the bride and groom’s outfits must be prepared. For the bride, consider the pre-wedding outfit (preparation robe, bridal robe, or a comfortable set to wear before the ceremony).

For the groom, a pre-wedding outfit (which can match the groomsmen’s for great photos) and a change of clothes for later in the evening are also necessary.

For the wedding brunch, consider an outfit that matches the venue or theme. This could be an outfit suitable for a barbecue, pizza party, or beach party if you plan to continue celebrating with your guests.

Wedding Dress and Suit

The most important item to bring? The wedding dress, of course, along with all the associated accessories: veil, petticoat, underwear, bolero, hair accessories, jewelry, fan, hat, etc. These should all be prepared in advance. Shoes should also be carefully packed for your preparation on the day.

For the groom: his preparation outfit, and more importantly, his suit (main shirt and a spare, socks, bow tie or tie, cufflinks, suspenders or belt, boutonnière, watch). Thinking about the details of each outfit in advance ensures you don’t miss anything for the big day.

Clothes for All Weather Conditions

The weather can be unpredictable, even in the south of Italy. It’s essential to prepare different outfits or shoes for last-minute weather changes. Alternatives for rain and extreme heat are necessary. Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and umbrellas are imperative if the sun is shining on your wedding day.

Essentials Wedding Packing List: Beauty Essentials

Personal Care Products and Makeup

Consider your beauty routine and what you need to bring. Your makeup and personal hair care items should be with you. Bring essential daily products that will comfort you during your beauty routine: hair care, creams, lotions, aftershave, or after-sun gel.

These will also be useful the day before and after the wedding to continue celebrating with your guests.

It’s highly recommended to test each product you plan to use on the big day to avoid allergies. Even if you don’t expect sunny weather, try out the sunscreen you might bring to ensure compatibility. Deodorant and perfumes should be included in a small kit you keep close by, ensuring a stress-free, enjoyable day.

Personal Hair Styling Equipment

Flat iron, curling iron, brush, hair care products, hair accessories, barrettes, and head jewelry are crucial to plan ahead for hair care on-site. The wedding veil is also an essential hair accessory to keep close. Consider the wedding venue and weather to choose the best hair products. For the groom, remember useful products like gel, wax, a hairbrush and comb, and shaving essentials.

Jewelry and Essential Accessories

Shoes to Switch

On the wedding day, as well as the day after, spare shoes should be planned to ensure comfort throughout these days. The pair you chose for the wedding should be included in your luggage, but we also recommend foot protectors for walking in heels all day. 

Several pairs of shoes should be packed to ensure a full day without pain. Consider bringing lower-heeled sandals for the evening or simply comfortable sneakers. The most important thing is to be able to dance with your guests without worrying about what you’re wearing on your feet.

The same goes for the groom, who, in addition to his wedding shoes, can choose a pair of more comfortable sneakers for the evening. If the wedding ceremony takes place on the beach, make sure to pack suitable shoes for walking in the sand.

Jewelry to Bring

Prepare the jewelry for your outfit and hairstyle, as well as those you wish to wear before or after the ceremony. 

Bring necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets. Keep valuable jewelry with you or consider theft insurance for precious items.

Most importantly, never lose sight of the box containing your wedding rings. Keep it in a carry-on, regardless of your mode of travel, to avoid any mishap with this essential accessory.

Wedding Packing List Logistics

Identity Papers and Contracts

When packing for a wedding, beauty products and clothes come to mind first. But identity cards or passports are crucial for a smooth trip abroad. First, check their validity for your travel dates. Visit the government website for all mandatory formalities. 

The marriage contract and certificate of capacity to marry or “Nulla Osta” should also be prepared in advance if you’re having a civil wedding in Italy.

Organizing these administrative details allows you to focus on essential beauty accessories for the day.

Finally, remember that listing all these items in advance will provide you with peace of mind, allowing you to fully enjoy the preparations, which can be magical when done with care.

Practical Wedding Packing List

Plan to bring some decorative elements that will make a difference on your special day. A wedding urn can collect contributions from your guests and notes from them. 

A guestbook is ideal for keeping all these messages in one place, a keepsake for your life together.

Since these items are quite bulky, you can also send them by parcel to your wedding planner, who will take care of bringing them on the day of the ceremony. Also, if you are traveling by plane, consider the size of the products and how to transport them.

Today, each airline has its own regulations regarding the maximum weight or size of a carry-on bag. However, for all airlines, your liquid cosmetic products must be under 100ml and carefully packed in a sealed plastic bag. If you want to bring larger products, they can easily be carried in checked luggage, which can accommodate liquid formats up to 1L without any difficulty.

For well-organized travel preparations, our team recommends booking seats near the emergency exits for more comfort, or at the front of the plane for a quicker exit. For a smooth arrival, consider reserving your rental car in advance to ensure a seamless transition.

Practical Tips for Packing Your Suitcase

Make a Wedding Packing List in Advance

Making a list of everything you might need well before your departure date will help minimize the risk of forgetting anything. You can either create your own list gradually or use tools like apps or websites to help you compile your list and ensure you don’t forget anything for your trip.

Pack and Fold Clothes Carefully

Folding and packing your personal items carefully is crucial to avoid them being too wrinkled or damaged on the big day. For transporting your wedding dress and suit, there are folding garment bags you can take as carry-on luggage to prevent any issues with damaged fabric or lost baggage.

Also, consider bringing a steamer in your luggage in case your accommodation doesn’t provide one. This way, your clothes will always look impeccable!

Anticipate Lost Luggage

We recommend preparing a small kit in case of lost luggage.

 Bring all essential items for your arrival at your accommodation or the ceremony venue. Always have with you a prepared toiletry kit (shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, hairbrush, personal medications, sunglasses…), the wedding rings, wedding outfits, and some spare clothes.

You can also divide your clothes and belongings among several bags in case one is lost, ensuring you are not left in a difficult situation.

You are now ready to start packing for your wedding abroad, surrounded by your loved ones.

The ultimate Wedding Packing List

• Outfits and Accessories:
  • Pre and Post-Wedding Outfits: Outfits for the bride and groom before and after the wedding, suitable for different parts of the celebration.
  • Wedding Dress and Suit: Include all necessary accessories like veil, shoes, jewelry, and suit components.
  • Weather-appropriate Clothing: Prepare for various weather conditions with suitable clothing and accessories.

• Personal Care and Makeup: Bring daily beauty products and makeup, ensuring they are tested to avoid allergies.
• Hair Styling Tools: Include essential hair styling tools and products, adapted to the wedding venue and weather conditions.

• Shoes: Pack multiple pairs for different stages of the wedding and post-wedding activities.
• Jewelry: Plan and pack all necessary jewelry, ensuring safety and insurance for valuable items.

• Important Documents: Ensure all identity documents and marriage-related papers are valid and packed.
• Practical Elements: Include decorative elements for the wedding, and consider shipping options for bulky items.

• List Making: Create a comprehensive packing list in advance to avoid forgetting essentials.
• Careful Packing: Fold and pack clothes carefully, use garment bags for delicate items, and consider packing a steamer.
• Preparation for Lost Luggage: Prepare a contingency kit in case of lost luggage, including essential items in your carry-on.