Florence is one of the most romantic cities in Italy. The capital of Tuscany is a popular wedding destination, and couples fly from all over the world to get married in Florence because of its charm and rich history.
This breathtaking city is a destination wedding favorite because of its stunning landscape, rich architecture and artistic heritage…and of course, its mouth-watering food!
So if you are planning to have a destination wedding in Florence, you will undoubtedly have a memorable and dreamy wedding day.
Before we dive into how to plan a destination wedding in Florence, we will start with some important information about the city and why it is a famous wedding destination in Italy.
Why is Florence a perfect wedding destination in Italy?
The particularity of Florence is that you can enjoy both a historic, cobblestoned city center and a lush, picturesque countryside. Indeed, couples looking for that true alfresco Italian winery wedding, for example, will be happy to get married in Florence’s countryside while having the opportunity to change sceneries or spend some time in a bustling (yet splendid) city center.
But that’s not all, here are some of the reasons why you should get married in Florence:
– Cradle of the Renaissance, the city boasts some of the world’s most famous artistic masterpieces, magnificent architecture, and so many museums and historical monuments to visit.
– You will get the most stunning and romantic wedding photos: think romantic photoshoots with a breathtaking background of the city, the Duomo, and lush nature. Here are some of the most famous spots:
- Ponte Vecchio, or just the two gorgeous nearby bridges to have Ponte Vecchio as a background
- Piazzale Michelangelo, where you will have the city and its rooftops, including the majestic Duomo as a background
- Galeria Uffizi with the stunning facade, columns, and masterpieces as a background
- The lush and pretty Boboli Gardens
- Or just about anywhere if you are in the countryside
Literally, beauty from every angle. But careful! You might end up wanting to pose in every little corner. Yes, that is how beautiful Florence is.
– You don’t need to invest effort, time, and money to entertain your guests in Florence. Walking around the city, visiting the Duomo, the other side of the bank, etc. These are all amazing fun and bonding activities that won’t cost you a dime.
And if you feel like kicking off the festivities from day 1, then all you have to do is have drinks at one of Florence’s many terraces. We suggest you start at sunset for an unparalleled view of the city!
–The food. Classic, we are in Italy after all! And in Tuscany in particular. So beyond the – oh so delicious – pizzas, pasta, prosciutto, and tiramisus that you will find all over Italy, try things like the famous Bistecca Alla Fiorentina (Florentine Steak) or the Pane Toscano. You can check out this article by Culture Trip for a round-up of Florence’s must-try food.
-Wedding rings are a priceless treasure not because of their financial value but for the memory and promises they hold and represent. You can make your wedding ring and wedding bands even more special and sentimental by buying them at your wedding destination! You will find in Ponte Vecchio a (very) wide array of beautiful handmade jewelry crafted and designed by Italy’s best jewelers.
–Ease of traveling to Florence is perfect because of its ideal location on the map and good connection options to other Italian and European cities. The city’s airport Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola is connected to Europe’s major cities like Amsterdam, London, Barcelona, Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt, etc. Getting to Florence won’t be difficult and expensive for you and your guests.
Florence is also well-connected to other European and Italian cities by train. With two major railways Firenze Santa Maria Novella and Firenze Campo di Marte, and several smaller ones, getting to and leaving Florence is a breeze!
-It is a practical and great starting point for honeymoons because of its location. From Florence, you can go on road trips throughout Tuscany’s most charming villages (think Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano, Arezzo, Fiesole to only name a few) and visit and taste some of the best wineries. You can even take a train to Rome or other beautiful Italian areas like the Amalfi coast for example.
If you are planning a European tour for your honeymoon, you also have a connection to most European airports or railways. All you have to do is send your wedding luggage back home with your friends & family and start your memorable European adventure!
Now that you know a lot more about this beautiful city, here is everything you need to know to plan your destination wedding and get married in Florence.
How much does a wedding in Florence cost?
This is not an easy question to answer. There are many variables to consider, including the size of your wedding, the style, the number of guests, the choice of venue, catering options, entertainment requirements, etc. The average cost of a destination wedding in Italy for 100 guests can range from as low as EUR 35,000 to as high as EUR 80,000.
You can check out more details about the cost of a wedding in Tuscany here: How Much Does a Destination Wedding in Tuscany Cost?
If you want a more in-depth idea of the budget to allocate, you can also check our article on how much does a destination wedding in Italy cost where we cover all the wedding expenses in specific detail, including venues, wedding planners, catering, flowers, photography etc.
These will help you estimate your expenses as the wedding vendors’ rates are usually the same across most of Italy.
It is worth mentioning that while the demand for getting married in Florence is quite high, it won’t affect your budget as there is a plethora of options and budgets to choose from.
Another thing to consider is that entertaining your guests is also not very costly. As we already mentioned, just strolling Florence’s streets and alleys, visiting the many museums, and or road-tripping in the countryside is enough entertainment for days.
As for vendors, you won’t have any difficulty finding the best in class in Florence. From caterers, photographers and florists, you will be happy with the wide selection of high-quality wedding vendors!
P.S.: WedBoard also allows you to connect with a curated list of the highest quality local Italian venues and vendors, making planning your wedding in Florence a perfect and seamless experience!
Legal requirements and how to get married in Florence
This is one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to how to get married in Italy. But fear not, WedBoard is a platform that allows you to build your wedding from A to Z to have the perfect wedding in Florence. WedBoard also has some very helpful articles on all the legal requirements and documentation to get married in Italy. According to the type of ceremony you will be having, you can head to the following articles to learn about every step required for a civil ceremony, religious ceremony, or symbolic ceremony.
Our two cents:
– Make sure your appointment at the town hall is at least 3 days before the ceremony
– Having a wedding planner specialized in Italy will help you a lot in this process as he or she will be able to guide you on everything you should do and can take care of most legal steps
Some of the best wedding venues in Florence
There are so many magical and stunning places to get married in Florence, so listing them all won’t be possible!
So here are some of our favorites venues in Florence that will leave your guests in awe and make you want to move and live there forever…and ever!
Villa Di Striano:
Villa Di Striano is a stunning historical venue situated in the Florence countryside and surrounded by the stunning landscape of the Apennine Mountains. Historically based as a 13th century guarding tower for a noble Italian family, Villa di Striano now serves as a stunning wedding venue for couples planning a destination wedding in Italy. With vast gardens filled with majestic trees to its stunning historic interiors, Villa di Striano is a perfect wedding venue for those looking to combine countryside aesthetics with the close proximity of the Florence city centre.
Villa Agape:
A stunning and luxurious wedding venue and only a stone’s throw away from the heart of Florence, Villa Agape is situated on the beautiful hills from where you can enjoy the enchanting view of the old city. The venue portrays a classic Florentine style, rich in elegance and charm alongside some of the most breathtaking panoramic views of Florence. Boasting expansive Italian-style gardens, tranquil fountains, and olive groves as well as 32 elegantly furnished rooms, Villa Agape is a breathtaking wedding venue that continues to grow in popularity.
Villa Le Piazzole:
Villa Le Piazzole is a stunning historical villa dating back to the 17th century that has been lovingly restored into a beautiful estate close to the heart of Florence. Strategically located between the Tuscan countryside and the city, Ville Le Piazzole stands proudly immersed in the green splendor of its marvelous Italian gardens, olive groves and vast vineyards. With its own production of outstanding wine and virgin olive oil, Villa Le Piazzole provides on-site guest accommodation, a unique Orangerie glass structure for a gorgeous wedding reception and an inviting swimming pool where wedding guests can enjoy the view of the surrounding Tuscan hills.
Castello del Trebbio:
A destination wedding venue set in a 12th century castle with breathtaking views of the Tuscan countryside might sound like something out of a fairytale and to be fair, it kind of is! Castello del Trebbio is a stunning castle situated in the middle of the Tuscany countryside, only 15 km from the center of Florence. Today, this gorgeous estate operates as both a charming Chianti Rufina winery and as a romantic destination wedding venue with stunning views as far as the eye can see!
If you want to see more or want to look at the cost of a wedding venue in Florence, WedBoard‘s Smart Venue Search option will make your search easier by allowing you to price out your favorite wedding venue in Florence while also chatting directly with the property.
Where to hold your wedding ceremony in Florence
If you are looking to have a civil wedding in Florence, you will be pleased and much in awe at the beauty of the town hall.
The Palazzo Vecchio is an architectural and historical beautiful Renaissance monument in the Piazza Della Signoria. There you will be able to get married in one of its gorgeous and impressive areas: Sala Rossa (Red Hall), the Salone dei Cinquecento, Sala di Lorenzo or even outdoors in the Giardino Delle Rose. You can also get married in Villa Vogel or the Bardini Museum.
If you are looking to hold a religious ceremony, you will enjoy all the available options, especially if you are looking at a church wedding ceremony. Italy boasts some of the most gorgeous churches in the world with rich history, and you will find many of them in Florence. The breathtaking and magical churches and cathedrals will make for the perfect wedding ceremony setting! Try and picture yourself getting married in the cathedral of the Duomo: Santa Maria del Fiore (yes! you can even get married in the Duomo!!), in the Basilica of Santa Croce, or in the Basilica of San Lorenzo, to only name a few.
Getting married in Florence is a great and memorable experience. To help you get inspired and effectively plan your wedding in Italy, we suggest you check out our article on how to choose your wedding venue in Italy. And if you are curious to learn more about Tuscany, then our Guide for a Destination Wedding in Tuscany will definitely come in handy!
Feature Image: Photo: Laura Barbera Photography
