Wedding in Tuscany: The Different Expense Categories

Tuscany is a highly sought-after wedding destination, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes that captivate many couples. However, budgeting is often a sensitive issue before starting the planning process. How much does a wedding in Tuscany cost? What budget should you set aside for a wedding in a Tuscan castle? What is the cost of a local caterer? These are just some of the questions that future brides and grooms might have when considering saying “I do” i Italy.

This article provides insights to help answer your questions and assist you in defining your wedding budget more clearly.

Tuscany, a Popular Wedding Destination

A Dream Setting

The Tuscan landscape is a true masterpiece of Italian heritage: colorful vineyards, rolling olive groves, and cypress-covered hills create a dreamy backdrop for your wedding. The historic cities of this region attract tourists from around the world. Pisa, Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Montepulciano—it’s impossible not to be charmed by their cobblestone streets and medieval churches.

Luxurious villas, picturesque agritourism spots, and historic castles also contribute to Tuscany’s reputation as a wedding destination. This variety of styles ensures that all couples, regardless of their nationality, can find something that meets their needs. If you’re not familiar with Tuscany, we invite you to check out our guide to the must-see attractions in this beautiful region at the following link.

From Intimate Weddings to Grand Luxurious Celebrations

Whether it’s an intimate elopement or a grand celebration, Tuscany is a destination that suits all types of weddings. With discreet hotels and majestic estates, this region offers a wide range of venues and wedding atmospheres. Agrotourismos are recommended for a small, private celebration. These venues also provide all the necessary services to ensure an unforgettable stay for your guests.

Italian castles are prestigious venues for larger weddings, offering vast landscaped grounds. To make the best choice for your wedding venue, seek expert advice from our team of wedding planners in Tuscany.

Tuscany Wedding Cost: The reception

Venues: Historic Villas, Wineries, and Castles

The cost of privatizing a wedding venue varies depending on the season, the day of the week, and each location’s specific terms and conditions. In addition to the venue rental, there are often additional costs such as outdoor lighting, restroom maintenance and cleaning, and extra hours to extend the event if the venue allows. Therefore, it’s important to have a comprehensive understanding of all potential costs to estimate an approximate budget.

When venues offer on-site accommodations, it is generally required to stay for several nights, which is common for villas and agritourismos. Some venues also charge extra for the use of specific areas within their property, such as access to a rose garden or certain lounges.

For more information, you can check out our favorite venues for a wedding in Tuscany in this article.

The Caterer: What Is the Average Price per Meal?

Tuscany is renowned for its high-quality cuisine, with delicious dishes and exceptional wine production. Both the couple and their guests can enjoy a memorable culinary experience.

The cost of a wedding menu depends on the type of service: a sit-down meal or a buffet. Generally, buffets tend to be more expensive. The price also varies based on the number of items per guest and any culinary activities included. For example, you can have a mozzarella-making workshop, a barbecue, or a fried food station. These dynamic buffet options increase the overall cost of the wedding menu. The choice of wedding cake also impacts the budget, especially if you want a large wedding cake or a traditional tiered cake. For Jewish weddings, the cost of preparing a kosher meal is higher due to additional logistical requirements and the cost of ingredients.

It’s important to note that meals for vendors present throughout the wedding evening are the responsibility of the couple

Tuscany Wedding Cost: Drinks and bar

The drink service is a significant part of the wedding budget. So, how to evaluate it accurately? Usually, drinks are included from the welcome cocktail to the end of dessert. The recommended quantity is one bottle of Champagne or Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) for every four people during the reception and one bottle of wine for every two people during dinner. The cost of drinks during dinner depends on the choice of wine. Tuscany is known for its excellent wine production, offering great value for money. After dinner, it’s essential to have an open bar service to continue the party and create a festive atmosphere. This service is managed by a team of expert bartenders, typically providing 3 to 4 drinks per guest from a list of cocktails such as Gin and Tonic, Rum and Coke, Moscow Mule, Whisky and Coke, and Spritz. The cost of this service can be calculated based on the number of guests with an hourly rate or a package deal for a set number of drinks. The price usually ranges between €2000 and €3500.

The Photographer and Videographer

Local Photographer Rates

Each vendor has their own pricing policy and artistic style, so prices can vary greatly. The rate also depends on the number of photographers on the wedding day. For weddings with over a hundred guests, it’s recommended to hire two photographers to capture as many moments as possible. We suggest hiring two photographers from the same agency to get a discounted rate and maintain consistency in the photo style. The cost also depends on the duration of the service, often available in packages of 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 hours. To optimize your budget, rely on the expertise and network of a wedding planner who can offer negotiated rates and knowledge of local vendors. Finally, consider having your photos delivered digitally and creating your own album online, such as with “My Poster,” rather than ordering it through the photographer. You can check out the work of our selected photographers in our portfolios.

Videographer Rates

The cost of videographers depends on several factors. Firstly, the videographer’s reputation, with the number of followers on their social media being an indicator of popularity. The rate also depends on the duration of the service on the wedding day and the video editing process. Couples often choose between a 2-minute trailer, a short film of 3-5 minutes, a full film of 15-20 minutes, or event backstage footage of about an hour. The cost also depends on the technology used; for example, drone services come at an additional fee. We recommend choosing a local videographer to avoid additional costs related to transportation and accommodation. Prices typically range between €2500 and €4000.

Wedding Decorations: A Highly Variable Budget

Cost of Bouquets, Centerpieces, and Other Floral Decorations

Wedding decorations can represent a significant part of the overall wedding budget, especially if you are inspired by Pinterest for your wedding ideas. We suggest focusing on the essentials first. For the ceremony, the cost depends on the type of ceremony chosen. For a church wedding, usually, there is a composition on the altar and two arrangements outside the church. For an outdoor symbolic ceremony, a larger budget is needed for the rental and floral decoration of an arch. For a Jewish wedding, additional budget is needed for the installation and decoration of the chuppah. For dinner centerpieces, round tables are more economical, requiring a single central arrangement compared to rectangular tables that need more flowers.To optimize your decoration budget, opt for seasonal flowers. You might also consider accessories for your bridal party, such as flower bracelets or boutonnieres.

Additional Decoration Tuscany Wedding Cost

Lighting plays a crucial role in the wedding atmosphere, so it’s important to budget for this expense, which can range from a few hundred to several thousand euros depending on the type of lighting desired. For example, a starry ceiling installation cost depends on the area to be covered and the artistic lighting. Renting specific furniture from a vendor, such as tables and chairs for the wedding dinner, can also significantly impact your budget. Setting up themed areas during the wedding, like a personalized welcome corner, a photobooth, or a candy bar, adds a unique touch to your wedding but also increases your decoration budget

What Budgets to Plan for Entertainment?

Rates for DJs, Local Bands, and Musicians

Musical entertainment is vital for creating the wedding atmosphere. Whether you choose a DJ, a duo of musicians, or a troupe of singers, it’s essential to select your artist based on the desired ambiance. The budget depends on several factors, including the musical equipment needed and the number of areas to be soundproofed to ensure continuous music at each key moment of the wedding. DJs can adapt to your wedding playlist according to your musical preferences. A DJ can also be paired with a saxophonist or violinist during the welcome cocktail or dance party. If you prefer live music, go for a duo, trio, or band. The cost varies depending on the number of musicians and the service duration. Some groups offer packages for the welcome cocktail, while others include both the cocktail and wedding dinner. You can also opt for a musical troupe combining music and dance to provide a live show for your guests. The cost of musical entertainment can range from a few hundred to several thousand euros depending on the group and the number of instruments.

Other Tuscany Wedding Cost

Throughout the wedding planning process, additional services may be added, such as renting a wedding car for the church, booking a babysitter, or organizing a shuttle service for guest transportation. Wedding stationery and guest gifts are also additional costs, especially if you want original and typical gifts. If you plan a multi-day wedding, you’ll also need to budget for pre-wedding meals and brunch. Generally, we recommend setting aside at least €5000 to cover any additional expenses during the planning. To better evaluate your wedding budget and get expert advice on organizing your event, don’t hesitate to contact our team of wedding planners for free personalized quotes.