As the days tick down while planning a destination wedding in Italy, your to-do list might seem endless! From changes to your timeline to updates to your seating chart as and when RSVPs are confirmed, there’s no shortage of tasks trying to grab your attention. However, while you may have ticked off the larger to-dos, don’t overlook the smaller details that can make a huge impact on your special day.
If you want your Italian wedding to go off without a hitch? Be sure to remember these 13 (often forgotten) essential details.
Your Italian Marriage Documentation
First and foremost, make sure you have all the necessary documents for getting married in Italy. Your wedding planner would have most likely taken care of this but incase you don’t have one or want to make sure all is in order. Put your paperwork in order well in advance and keep it securely tucked away for the big day. Here is an article featuring all of the documents you need to get married in Italy.
Nastja & Nives
Benvenuti – Welcome Signs for your guests
For your charming Italian ceremony or reception, it’s nice to welcome your guests in style with a cute welcome sign. This is a great way to set the tone for your guests arrival and they’re a great keepsake for you and your spouse to save as a memory.
Welcome Bags for Your Italian Wedding Guests
A great idea to consider while planning a destination wedding in Italy are welcome bags. These are a thoughtful touch to make your guests feel at home. Fill these bags with travel essentials and local goodies, such as a fan for when it gets hot, a fridge magnet with your wedding location, local delicacies, and a map of the area. Include a heartfelt welcome note to show your appreciation.
Natasha & Tom - real wedding
Gratitude Speech
Believe it or not but this one can often get forgotten about and rushed at the last minute, especially as speeches are not particularly common in Italy. As your guests have made the long trip over to celebrate your big day, it would be nice to prepare a heartfelt thank you speech ahead of time to show your appreciation to your guests, family, and wedding party. During the reception, grab the mic and take a moment to express your thanks for their presence, love and support.
Paying the SIAE Music Tax
If you're planning to have music at your Italian wedding, don't forget about the SIAE tax. This is a mandatory fee in Italy for playing music at public events, including weddings.
Make sure you budget for this tax and complete the necessary paperwork ahead of time to avoid any last-minute surprises. Your Italy wedding planner or venue can help you navigate this process. For more information on this, click here.
Gifts for Your Bridal Party
Surprise your bridal party on the wedding morning with a thoughtful gift. Whether it’s matching earrings, a beautiful robe for getting ready, or a heartfelt note, these tokens of appreciation will make your bridal party feel special and create beautiful memories for them.
Giulia and Shreyan
Photographer’s Family Photo List
Most often, a good Italian wedding photographer will map out a list of photos to take or even be able to do it on the spot. However, it doesn’t hurt to compile a list of must-have family photos for him or her to follow, especially if there are some important ones you don’t want to miss.
Vendor Meals
Arrange meals for your wedding vendors in Italy, such as the photographer, musicians, and planner, who will spend the day with you. If your wedding planner hasn’t already addressed this, most caterers offer the option to add vendor meals to your package at a discounted rate, ensuring your team stays energised and ready to keep your day running smoothly.
Include Yourselves in the Guest Count
When finalising your catering and seating arrangements, remember to include yourselves in the guest count. Many couples forget this detail and tend to focus just on their RSVP list. While we highly doubt you and your future spouse will be left out when they serve that delicious looking pasta or risotto, we do recommend keeping this in mind, especially for budget concerns.
Changing Bridal Shoes
Comfortable Footwear
After hours of dancing and mingling, you’ll be grateful for having a pair of comfortable shoes on hand. Whether you choose sandals, flats, or sneakers or a cute white pair of crocs, having these ready will help you keep the celebration going all night. If you want to go all out, you can set aside a box of flip flops for your wedding guests to change into once they’re feet get sore – they’ll thank you!
Wedding Day Emergency Kit
Pack a wedding day emergency kit with essentials like safety pins, stain remover, mints, tissues, band-aids, pain relief, and makeup touch-ups. This kit can save the day during any last-minute mishaps or unexpected emergencies. Give them to your most trusted bridesmaid, family member or friend to keep it easily accessible during the day.
Cristiana Fiorini
Backup Plan for Weather
If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony or reception in Italy, it’s crucial to have a backup plan for wet weather. In general Italy during the wedding season is warm, pleasant and can get very hot. However, with the weather being so unpredictable, it’s important to be prepared for whatever comes. A wedding planner or your chosen venue will be well versed when it comes to Plan Bs but just be very prepared for backup options, whether you consider renting a tent, securing an indoor venue alternative, or providing umbrellas for guests.
Guest Book Station
Set up a guest book station where your wedding guests can leave well-wishes, advice, and heartfelt messages. These will be messages that you and your future spouse will treasure for so many years to come. Whether it’s a traditional book, a Polaroid guest book, or another creative idea that you plan up, a guest book is often left to the last minute but we believe it’s a must have.
Cristiana Fiorini
Song Requests for a Vibrant Reception
To ensure a lively dance floor, compile a list of must-play songs and special requests for your DJ or band. You can even ask guests for their song preferences on your RSVP form. The right music will set the tone for your celebration and create unforgettable moments.
These small but significant details to think about while planning a destination wedding in Italy will be ones to remember amongst your guests. Now go and get started on ticking off these off your to do list!
