What to wear to a Catholic wedding in Italy...

Cathedral of Amalfi

Yesterday I met with Don Michele in the Cathedral of Amalfi to introduce him to a bride and groom getting married in Amalfi next June. During the conversation the subject of what the bride should wear and her bridesmaids and female guests came up. 

Elie Saab Auriga wedding dress for Pronovias

Don Michele was very clear that the bride should have her shoulders covered and that the veil was not sufficient as it is transparent. 

Sassi Holford

It is always best to check with the church where you will be married in Italy to ask about the dress code, some priests say they are happy with a veil covering the brides shoulders others say that she must cover her shoulders. 

Rosa Clara

Don Michele also pointed out that the bridesmaids and the other guests attending the wedding should a cover their shoulders and that the guests should wear a respectful length of skirt. If you are getting married in Italy please remember to let your guests know they should bring a pashmina with them for inside the church and remember no miniskirts! 

Beautiful Irish wedding on Lake Orta

Andy and Pauline's wedding on  Lake Orta...

Typically after traveling from Ireland to escape the rain, it rained for three of the four days that they were there. “The three days in the run up to the wedding were filled with constant – and I do mean constant – rain. Which turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it meant that the 40 or so members of the wedding party go to to spend a lot of time bumping into each other in the cafes, restaurants and pubs that were dotted around the village.”

 

Andy and Pauline were married in the Madonna del Sasso church, a baroque church, called the Orta Balcony by many due to it’s stunning vista. A sanctuary on the edge of a high rock leap, looking North you can see the Alps of Ossola Valley up to Switzerland and on the South you can admire the valley towards Milan and the Ligurian Apennines…

Photography by We are the Matersons


A wedding for two or 200, hosting your wedding in Florence is perfect! Tuscany part 2

Getting married in Florence!  The capital of Tuscany is often referred to as the "Jewel of the Renaissance". With thousands of visitors every year Florence is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world and is on a lot of must visit in your life time lists!

Town hall of Florence where civil marriages are celebrated

Florence is a vibrant and fun city full of history and  a lot of heart! In the past we have organised weddings where all the guests are accommodated in a villa just outside of the city, in a hotel in the heart of the city and in apartments dotted around the city. There really is a lot of choice to suit all budgets.

Catholic wedding in the heart of Florence

Florence is one of Italy's iconic cities instantly recognisable by the skyline and the dome of the cathedral, the ponte vecchio and Piazza del signoria....  When I am asked to recommend a city location my preference over Rome is Florence.

There is an elegance to this city and with so many incredible locations to host your wedding celebrations  from a castle over looking the city to a villa owned by nobility or a hotel with views over this beautiful city. It makes it a perfect choice for a city wedding in Italy!



Town hall of Florence

 In Florence there is the American church and the Church of England church in Florence where religious ceremonies may take place. If you were thinking of hosting your wedding celebration at a private villa, both the ministers from these churches would be delighted to come out and perform the blessing.

For non Catholic weddings you would have to be married legally first.

Florence also has a stunning synagogue but please note the synagogues in most cases only marry Orthodox couples who have fulfilled all the religious requirements. If you wish to hold a Jewish ceremony in a villa or castle, we recommend you fly over with your own Rabbi. Although there is a couple of lovely Rabbi's in Italy who are happy to perform your wedding celebration at a private villa.

For part one of our look at locations for weddings in Tuscany please click here

Timeless and Romantic...Wedding in Tuscany

When you look at the photographs of Lia and Rob’s elegant Tuscany affair it is not difficult to see why couples decide to host a destination wedding in Italia!  Their timeless wedding, photographed by the amazingly talented Vania and Christine of Simply Bloom Photography, is elegant, understated, and full of love and beauty. And now, I’m going to let the gorgeous images speak for themselves!

 

Lia handmade the ceremony programs as well as keepsake booklets to hold their wedding vows.  The simple and pure emotion on her face is magical.  Also, can we discuss her classic red manicure?  In a world of pale pink, I am head over heels for it!