Why Italy is the top wedding destination

If you’re tying the knot abroad, here’s why you should put Italy to the top of your shortlist.

Planning a wedding? Italy regularly tops the list of the world’s best wedding destinations for good reason. This European heavyweight teams fairytale scenery with traditional architecture and world-famous food and drink, so every element of your big day – from the ceremony to the celebrations – is next level.

We’ve picked out three of the best locations in Italy to give you some inspiration, from the serene surrounds of Sorrento in the south, to the glittering shores of Lake Garda in the north – and thrown in some ideas for traditions to include in your big day. Choose the venue for your vows, pair it with an incredible hotel for your reception, and voila – your dream destination wedding awaits.

Ready to go? Take a look at all our weddings in Italy.

Make it official on the Amalfi Coast

If you’re looking for glitz and glamour on your big day, look no further than the Amalfi Coast. This place epitomises all of the above. Here, it’s all about breathtaking scenery, traditional Italian cuisine and unspoiled beaches – making it ideal wedding territory.

Choose Maiori Town Hall for your ceremony, for example, and you’ll have a backdrop of colourful Italian frescoes as you say your vows. Or, opt for the outdoor terrace at Positano Town Hall and soak up the spectacular views over the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Find out more about the Amalfi Coast.

Say ‘I do’ in Sorrento

Sorrento is another big hit when it comes to Italian wedding destinations. You’ll find it on the south-west coast of Italy’s stiletto heel, putting it in the centre of the Neapolitan Riviera. Unobstructed vistas of Mount Vesuvius and Naples will leave you spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing backdrops for your wedding photos, and the choice of venues is just as impressive. Have your ceremony in the idyllic 14th-century Cloisters of San Francesco, choose the Hall of Mirrors or sea-view gardens of the Correale Museum, or marry on the terrace of Villa Fondi – which comes with a Bay of Naples backdrop.

Find out more about Sorrento.

Tie the knot in Lake Garda

The biggest of the country’s glittering lakes, northern Italy’s Lake Garda makes a brochure-worthy backdrop for weddings. And you’ve got an impressive line-up of varied venues to choose from here, too.

Marry in Malcesine, for example, and you can choose from a wedding in the castle – perched on a cliff with wraparound lake and mountain views – or a ceremony in an ornately frescoed room at the Captain’s Palace.

Or, opt to tie the knot at the 14th-century Torri Del Benaco Castle, a little further South of Malcesine. Say your vows in the castle’s tower for an intimate ceremony or in the lemon groves if you’re planning a larger wedding.

Find out more about Lake Garda.

5 Italian wedding traditions to try

1. Drink Prosecco Prosecco lovers, rejoice. Did you know that it’s traditional to toast to the bride and groom with a glass of the native sparkling wine? We think this is good news, seeing as Prosecco is one of the most popular wedding drinks in the UK.

2. Wear a garter This tradition for brides dates back to the 14th century, and is thought to bring good luck to the happy couple. Once the ceremony has finished, the groom removes the garter, and it’s torn into pieces and thrown to the wedding guests for good luck.

3. Try not to look at yourself in the mirror Not seeing the groom on the morning of your wedding is a worldwide tradition. But, in Italy, looking in the mirror is an even bigger taboo. According to superstition, the bride shouldn't look at herself in the mirror once her wedding dress is on, as it’s thought to bring bad luck.

4. Wear two different wedding dresses In southern Italy, it’s traditional for the bride to wear two different dresses over the course of her wedding day. The first one is for the ceremony, and the second is reserved for the first dance with her new husband.

5. Smash a glass It’s an age-old tradition at Italian weddings to smash a wine glass or vase. Once the glass has shattered, the broken pieces are counted - and the final figure represents the number of years the couple are expected to be happily married.

Tempted by Italy?

To find out more, pop into one of our stores or take a closer look at all our weddings abroad.

For more inspiration, take a look at some more of the best places to get married abroad, the best honeymoon destinations and the most romantic holiday destinations.

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Author: Olivia Hunt and Katie Gregory

Last updated: 15.10.2025