What are the special features of an Italian wedding?

Would you like to get married in Italy, but above all have a unique experience? Our agency specialises in organising Italian-style weddings. In Puglia, in the south of Italy, we’ll organise your entire ceremony so that you can enjoy an Italian wedding that’s just like you. What are the specific characteristics and codes of Italian weddings? That’s what we’re going to find out in this article.

Italian weddings: a ceremony steeped in tradition!

In the land of la dolce vita, marriage is a veritable institution. Whether you’re talking about a civil or a religious wedding (usually Catholic in Italy), Italian weddings are steeped in customs and traditions as diverse as they are varied. From the wedding dress, to the arrival of the bride and groom in the church, to the conduct of the ceremony and the reception, everything is codified. An Italian-style ceremony promises a change of scenery for both the bride and groom and their guests!

What are the traditions of Italian weddings?

Typical Italian wedding customs include the fact that in a religious wedding, the bride and groom have to walk to the church. Obstacles are placed in their path and they must avoid them. This symbolises love and a journey that is sometimes fraught with obstacles. In some regions of Italy, it is customary for the bride and groom to saw a log together. Here too, the gesture symbolises the partnership, allegiance and adversity conveyed by love.

At a wedding ceremony in Italy, it is customary for the groom to carry a piece of iron in his pocket. The bride wears a veil to hide her face. These ancestral customs date back to a time when it was thought that a piece of iron would ward off spirits! Why not let yourself be seduced by these customs as part of a sublime wedding in Tuscany or an unforgettable wedding in Puglia…

The wedding reception, an institution in Italy!

If there’s one highly codified moment in an Italian wedding, it’s the wedding reception! The famous Tarantella dance is one of the unmissable moments of the Italian wedding reception culture. Popularised throughout the world thanks to Francis Ford Coppola’s film saga The Godfather. The Tarantella is a traditional dance from southern Italy. Lively and joyful, young and old come together to celebrate the union of the newlyweds with music.

When it comes to food, a typical Italian wedding usually features a grand banquet using local produce. Wines, meats, seasonal vegetables, colours and tastes come together on the plate to offer the bride and groom and their guests the true flavours of Italy!

Finally, to close the ceremony, the bride and groom are usually invited to break a vase together in front of their guests. The number of broken vases is supposed to symbolise the number of happy yeas the couple will live!

We hope that this article dedicated to Italian-style ceremonies will make you consider a wedding in the land of la dolce vita. Don’t hesitate to consult our other articles dedicated to Italian wedding ceremonies. Contact our wedding planners in Italy for more information or a free quote!